Every time I step on an escalator, it feels like I’m in a Mario video game. I have to wait for the perfect moment to move forward, and when I step off, I speed up just in case it suddenly breaks. It’s both thrilling and a little scary!
But riding an escalator so often makes you curious: how do those moving steps appear and disappear? How does an escalator even work?
what are Escalators？
An escalator, also called a moving staircase or moving walkway, is a machine that carries people up or down between floors. Its steps move in a continuous loop, so it can carry many people at the same time. Compared to a regular elevator, escalators can transport more passengers, making them perfect for busy places like shopping malls, airports, and subway stations.
How The Escalator Works？
Luckily, many sources explain how escalators are built and how they work.
The main moving parts of an escalator are the big gears at each end and the moving track on top. On each side of the track, there are rollers that help it slide smoothly.
The gears have a chain system like a bicycle. This system makes the small gears turn the big gears.
The big gears hold onto the inside of the track. When the gears start turning, the track moves in a continuous loop.
The top of the track is where we normally stand. It is made of metal steps, and each step has neat grooves. The grooves stop people from slipping and also fit into a comb-like plate at the end. This helps clean off dirt when the steps go underneath, keeping the inside of the escalator safe from damage.
What Does The Inside of an Escalator Look Like
The escalator’s steps are constructed of metal shells rather than solid metal and feature a triangular design. This allows the steps to stack neatly at both ends of the rotation, forming a smooth curve from high to low, preventing them from getting stuck. Although the steps appear thin, they can easily support the weight of two adults. Each step is supported by a metal rod that is attached to the rollers with industrial glue and fasteners for added stability.
Inside the escalator, there are several important parts that make it work:
- Motor: The motor is usually located at one end of the escalator and is hidden inside. It powers the small gears, which makes the escalator move.
- Gears: There are two types of gears inside an escalator: small gears and big gears. The small gears are attached to the motor. When the motor turns them, they drive the big gears, which are fixed on both sides of the track. This makes the steps move in a continuous loop.
- Rollers: There are many rollers along both sides of the track. They are usually made of strong plastic or metal. The rollers help the track slide smoothly and support the weight of the steps and anyone standing on them.
- Comb Plate: At each end of the escalator, there is a metal comb plate. It cleans dirt off the steps and protects the internal machinery from damage.
The escalator also has a looped design, a strong frame, and panels covering maintenance spaces. Workers can open the panels to check gears, rollers, chains, and steps when repairs are needed. Safety features include switches under the panels that stop the escalator if lifted and emergency stop buttons at each end. Some escalators even have speed sensors or overload protection to keep everyone safe.
How Escalators are Installed
Before leaving the factory, each escalator is carefully tested, including emergency stop switches, to make sure everything works perfectly. Then it is transported as a whole to the building and installed.
Yes, escalators are different from regular elevators. They do not need to be built piece by piece on site. Instead, they are shipped from the factory as complete units. Some buildings even make a hole in the ceiling so the escalator can be lifted into its final position.
Fun and Interesting Escalators
Some escalators are really unusual and show just how creative engineers can be.
Super Long Escalator
In Hong Kong, there is a super long escalator stretching over 800 meters. It even has stops in the middle, almost like a subway line.
World’s Shortest Escalator
On the opposite end, Japan has the world’s shortest escalator, with only five steps. It works fine, but is it really necessary?
Spiral Escalator
In Shanghai, a department store has a seven-story spiral escalator. It travels from the first floor all the way to the seventh, winding around in a helical shape. Such a unique escalator is not cheap. It costs several million U.S. dollars to design and install, but riding it feels like reaching the top of the world.
Since the first escalator was made, engineers have always been breaking the rules, just to make life easier for everyone.
