Elevator car and uvc radiation device for an elevator car

Abstract

The elevator car (1) comprises an input device (2) arranged on a first car side wall (4) and a UVC radiation device (3) arranged on the car roof (6) for irradiating the input device (2) with radiation in the UVC range. The UVC radiation device (3) has a plurality of UVC-LEDs (7) as radiation sources arranged next to each other in the horizontal direction. The UVC-LEDs (7) are arranged in the UVC radiation device (3) in such a way that the radiation direction points upwards. Each radiation source is assigned a reflector (13) embodied as a concave mirror. The UVC-LEDs (7) and the reflectors (13) are mounted in a box-shaped housing (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an elevator car and a UVC radiation device for the elevator car. Background Technology

[0002] Elevator equipment used for transporting people and goods includes an elevator car that moves up and down within an elevator shaft. The car is moved by a drive unit via a support device, such as a support rope or belt. Elevator cars typically have an operation panel for entering the target floor, which is operated by the elevator user by touching it with their fingers. This can lead to dangerous pathogens, such as the current Covid-19 virus, reaching the operation panel and being transmitted to other elevator users. Therefore, it is necessary to disinfect the operation panel or other input devices within the car. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to avoid known drawbacks and, in particular, to provide an elevator car in which input devices can be disinfected in a simple and efficient manner.

[0004] According to the invention, these and other objectives are achieved by an elevator car having the features of claim 1. The elevator car has at least one input device disposed on a first car side wall for generating control signals to an elevator controller or another electronic device. Specifically, the input device may be a car operation panel for inputting a target floor, such as a keypad for inputting an optional target floor number. The car operation panel may additionally or perhaps alternatively have additional buttons, emergency call buttons, etc., for inputting closing commands to close the door or keep it open. The input device may also be, for example, a device for conveying information to elevator users. This information may be about weather, sports results, sporting events, stock data, entertainment, society, etc. Information can be provided to elevator users via a display device according to their personal interests through the input device. It is also conceivable that elevator-specific information can be provided to personnel familiar with elevators via the input device. Alternatively or additionally, elevator professionals can communicate with the elevator and query statistics and / or operating data through the input device. The input device may, for example, include buttons or keys that are operated by pressing. Mechanically operated electric keys, capacitive keys, or piezoelectric keys are known and commonly used. The input device may also include other manual input devices. For example, the input device may also include a display screen with a touch-sensitive input area (touchscreen).

[0005] A typical rectangular elevator car can have an interior space predetermined by the car side walls, car top, and car bottom. The elevator car has a UVC radiation device for irradiating the input device with radiation in the UVC range to disinfect the surfaces of the input device that are touched by the elevator user; this radiation device is located at the top of the car. If the input device is located on the first car side wall, then the UVC radiation device is preferably located in the rear region of the second car side wall opposite the first car side wall. Here, the first and second car side walls are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the side walls connecting the first and second car side walls extend in the longitudinal direction respectively. Since the UVC radiation device is advantageously positioned in or on the top of the car, potentially contaminated surfaces on the input device can be disinfected by radiation in the UVC range between 200 nm and 300 nm. In these regions, bacteria, more precisely, bacterial DNA absorb UV light, resulting in permanent DNA / RNA damage. This damage, in turn, prevents the bacteria from reproducing and causes them to die. Therefore, unwanted bacteria, Legionella, viruses, yeasts, and fungi on the input device can be reliably neutralized. A wavelength range between 250 nm and 280 nm is preferred, as this ensures particularly effective disinfection. Disinfection can be achieved with low energy consumption when using UVC-LEDs. UVC-LEDs also have a long lifespan and are not easily worn.

[0006] The first car sidewall can be a vertical wall segment connected to the car door. This wall segment, and thus the first car sidewall, is therefore located on the same side as the car door. However, the first car sidewall can also be a car sidewall extending preferably perpendicular to the door side. It is also conceivable that the first car sidewall forms the rear of the elevator car, which faces the front of the elevator car defined by the car door.

[0007] To ensure efficient irradiation by the input device, the UVC radiation device comprises multiple UVC-LEDs arranged side-by-side in a horizontal direction as radiation sources. "Side-by-side" means extending laterally than the previously mentioned longitudinal direction. The UVC-LEDs arranged side-by-side form a radiation source row that extends laterally relative to the longitudinal direction. Another advantage of this structure is the small space requirement of the UVC radiation device.

[0008] The corresponding UVC-LEDs can be positioned side-by-side in a dotted arrangement within the UVC radiation device. Each dot represents a radiation source. However, the dots do not necessarily have to be geometrically precise. A single UVC-LED or radiation source can also be a group of multiple diodes emitting UVC radiation. The UVC-LEDs arranged side-by-side can be arranged at regular intervals, with the spacing between two UVC-LEDs being, for example, at least 1 cm and preferably at least 2 cm. However, it is also conceivable that each row of UVC-LEDs is interconnected, thus forming a linear arrangement.

[0009] UVC radiation is problematic because it is harmful to health, both to the eyes and human skin. Therefore, UVC radiation devices are preferably controlled to ensure that radiation to the input device is only possible when there are no people in the room. For example, at least one sensor can be installed in an elevator car to determine whether a person is in or has entered the elevator car. Such a sensor can include, for example, a motion detector, light curtain, video camera, grating, photosensitive element, sound sensor, microphone, or radar sensor to detect people. This or these sensors are connected to a controller for operating the UVC radiation device. Furthermore, the controller can be designed so that the UVC radiation device is at least temporarily activated when the elevator car is running empty or during a shutdown phase.

[0010] Furthermore, it is conceivable that, in addition to purifying the air in the car, a UVC radiation device would also be used. The radiation generated by the UVC radiation device could neutralize viruses or other pathogens in the air inside the car.

[0011] In a first embodiment, the UVC radiation device includes a reflector implemented as a concave mirror, wherein preferably one reflector is assigned to each radiation source. Thus, the UVC radiation device has multiple reflectors arranged side-by-side. The reflectors may have a preferred basic shape configured to collimate the UVC beam emitted from the associated UVC-LED and incident on the reflector, and therefore oriented substantially parallel to the radiation direction of the reflector. The reflectors are constructed and arranged within the UVC radiation device such that the radiation from the reflectors ultimately reaches the input device. The reflectors are preferably constructed such that the beam is incident on the car sidewall in an almost rectangular shape. This rectangle surrounds at least a portion of the surface of the input device. If multiple reflectors are provided, they are configured such that they collectively cover the entire surface of the input device. This ensures efficient illumination of the input device. In particular, this arrangement enables precise target illumination. In addition to the input device, with the appropriate orientation of the attached UVC-LED and its corresponding reflector, it is also possible to precisely irradiate handrails or other surfaces that are frequently touched by elevator users for surface disinfection.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the UVC-LED can be arranged in the UVC radiation device such that the radiation source or UVC-LED is directed upwards or toward the top of the car. This indirect irradiation design has the advantage of enabling focusing onto the desired surface.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the UVC radiator is implemented as low or narrow in its external dimensions. Low here means that the vertical dimension (height) of the UVC radiator is, preferably several times, at least twice, and particularly preferably at least three times, larger than one of its horizontal dimensions (length, width). The UVC radiator extending slightly downward relative to the top surface of the elevator car ensures optimal space availability. Another advantage is that the UVC radiator hardly becomes a collision obstacle, for example, when transferring or transporting large goods within the elevator car.

[0014] The UVC-LED of the UVC radiator can be installed in the housing or in other receiving devices mounted on the top. This UVC radiator allows for simple retrofitting of the elevator car. However, mounting the UVC radiator on the top of the car, so that the UVC radiator extends downwards or into the car relative to the top surface, is not mandatory. It is also conceivable to integrate the UVC radiator into the top, and thus at least largely conceal it.

[0015] UVC radiation devices may include a housing with a one-piece housing component on which UVC-LEDs and reflectors are mounted. The one-piece housing component can be formed, for example, from an extruded aluminum profile or an injection-molded part made of plastic. Such a housing can be manufactured simply and inexpensively.

[0016] The housing of a UVC radiation device can be designed as a box shape. For example, the housing may include a one-piece housing member with a C-shaped profile. Preferably, the downward-opening or alternatively side-opening "C" has open sides that form radiation perforations for UVC rays generated by the UVC-LED and, if necessary, deflected by a reflector, to illuminate the input device.

[0017] A particularly compact and space-saving arrangement is achieved if the shell has a planar upper side resting on the top of the car and a lower side arranged opposite to the upper side and preferably extending parallel to the plane of the upper side. The aforementioned one-piece shell member can have its upper and lower sides pre-defined.

[0018] When UVC-LEDs arranged side-by-side are mounted on a circuit board, it is advantageous that the circuit board is positioned at the end of a connecting tab-like protrusion molded on the underside of the housing. In addition to the advantages in manufacturing technology, this arrangement is characterized by the fact that the heat released by the LEDs within their chips can be more easily dissipated into the environment.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, in order to better dissipate the heat generated by UVC-LEDs, especially in their chips and other electronic components used to operate UVC-LEDs, cooling ribs can be integrally molded onto the housing.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the housing of the UVC radiation device may have a lower housing side having a sheet-like structure with multiple downward-pointing cooling ribs.

[0021] In addition, UVC radiation devices can have transparent or at least UVC radiation-permeable disc-shaped components to enclose the internal space of the housing, thereby protecting the UVC-LED from dust and other external influences.

[0022] A UVC radiation device can have multiple rows of radiation sources equipped with UVC-LEDs, arranged sequentially in a horizontal direction. This sequential arrangement relates to the longitudinal direction mentioned at the beginning. This allows for the efficient irradiation of relatively large input devices and the disinfection of their surfaces.

[0023] As an alternative to the previously described placement within a housing, it is also conceivable to place the UVC-LED within an open carrier structure. For example, the aforementioned row of radiation sources with UVC-LEDs could be positioned on an inclined side, wherein the side is configured so that the radiation source's radiation direction points towards the input device, so that the radiation source can directly irradiate the input device.

[0024] As a carrier structure, planar profile members with a serrated profile can be used to form the sidewalls that accommodate the radiation source rows. The advantage of UVC radiation devices implemented using such profile members is their exceptionally low structural height.

[0025] Furthermore, it is advantageous for the radiation source to have one or more other LEDs with different emission spectra in addition to the UVC-LED, through which different color mixing schemes can be produced. The radiation source can produce visible colors, such as red light, in the active state, which can be used as a warning that disinfection is in progress.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention relates to a UVC radiation device for irradiating an input device disposed on a first side wall of an elevator car using radiation in the UVC range. The UVC radiation device can be disposed on the top of the elevator car, and further includes a plurality of UVC-LEDs arranged side-by-side horizontally as radiation sources. This UVC radiation device is particularly suitable for use in the aforementioned elevator car.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention may refer to an assembly aid (e.g., an assembly template) that is aligned with the radiation direction of the UVC radiation device, can be tapped into an input device, and indicates the assembly position of the UVC radiation device at the top. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 A greatly simplified illustration of an elevator car with a car control panel and UVC radiation device is shown.

[0030] Figure 1a An enlarged view of a UVC radiation device for irradiating the car control panel with radiation in the UVC range is shown. Figure 1 Details A);

[0031] Figure 2 A simplified diagram of an elevator car according to the present invention, having a car operation panel and a UVC radiation device according to a second embodiment, is shown.

[0032] Figure 3Show Figure 2 Side view of the UVC radiation device in the image;

[0033] Figure 4 A perspective view of another UVC radiation device is shown;

[0034] Figure 5 A perspective view shows UVC-LEDs arranged in two rows and related reflectors used for a UVC radiation device to irradiate the car control panel using radiation in the UVC range; and

[0035] Figure 6 A side view shows another UVC radiation device for irradiating the car control panel with radiation in the UVC range. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figure 1 An elevator car 1, indicated by 1, is shown in an elevator system for a multi-story building (not shown here). The building has an elevator shaft in which the elevator car 1 can move vertically up and down to transport people or goods to various floors. In addition to the elevator car 1, the elevator system typically includes (again, not shown) a counterweight and hoists, as well as a drive (e.g., a drive for a drive wheel). The drive actuates one or more hoists (e.g., belts, wires), thereby causing the elevator car 1 and the counterweight to move in opposite directions.

[0037] Elevator car 1 has car side walls 4 and 5, a car top 6, and a car bottom, which together define the interior space of the car. In existing elevator equipment, a car operation panel 2 for inputting the target floor is arranged inside the elevator car 1. Here, the car operation panel 2 is mounted on the first car side wall, indicated by 4. The car side wall opposite the first car side wall 4 is hereinafter referred to as the second car side wall 5. The distance between the two car side walls 4 and 5 is set along the longitudinal direction indicated by arrow y. In other words, the longitudinal direction is understood as the direction extending from the first car side wall 4 equipped with the car operation panel 2 toward the opposite second car side wall 5. Arrow x defines the lateral direction.

[0038] To irradiate the car control panel 2 with UVC radiation, the elevator car 1 is equipped with a UVC radiation device 3 for disinfecting the surfaces of the car control panel that are touched by elevator users. Here, the UVC radiation device 3 is clearly positioned on the car top 6 in the rear region near the second car side wall 5. Of course, instead of the car control panel 2 described herein, other input devices used to generate control signals to the elevator control system can also be irradiated with the UVC radiation device 3, which is described in detail below.

[0039] The UVC radiation device 3 includes UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 as radiation sources. The UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 are arranged sequentially about each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the UVC radiation device 3 exemplarily includes three rows of UVC-LEDs. The foremost UVC-LED is UVC-LED 7; the last UVC-LED is UVC-LED 9. The UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 are arranged on a carrier structure 20 fixed to the top of the elevator car. This carrier structure 20 is a planar profile member with a serrated profile. The serrated profile forms an inclined side surface, indicated by 22. The UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 are mounted on the side surface 22. To irradiate the elevator car operation panel 2 through the radiation sources or UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9, the side surface 22 is arranged such that the radiation direction of the UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 points towards the elevator car operation panel 2. The UVC radiation device 3 can be a component of a new elevator car 1. However, the UVC radiation device 3 described herein is also suitable for retrofitting an existing elevator car 1.

[0040] UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 emit radiation in the UVC range between 200 and 300 nm when activated. Within this range, unwanted pathogens such as bacteria, Legionella, viruses, yeast, and fungi on the car control panel 2 can be neutralized. UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 preferably emit radiation in the wavelength range between 250 nm and 280 nm, which ensures particularly effective and reliable disinfection of the car control panel surface. Furthermore, the UVC radiation emitted by the UVC radiation device 3 has a cleaning effect on the ambient air inside the car.

[0041] exist Figure 1 The visible UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 belong to the radiation source row. The corresponding radiation source row consists of multiple UVC-LEDs arranged side by side, wherein the corresponding row with UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 arranged side by side extends in the x direction.

[0042] from Figure 1a As can be seen, the corresponding rows of radiation sources with UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9 are arranged on the inclined side 21. The side 21 is configured so that the radiation source directly illuminates the car operation panel 2, and the radiation direction of the radiation source points towards the car operation panel 2. The open carrier structure 20 is configured as a planar profile member with a serrated profile. The serrated profile forms the side 22 for accommodating the rows of radiation sources with UVC-LEDs 7, 8, and 9.

[0043] Figure 2A second embodiment of an elevator car 1 includes an input device 2 for generating control signals to an elevator controller, such as the aforementioned car operation panel for inputting a target floor. The elevator car also includes a UVC radiation device 3 for irradiating the input device 2 with radiation in the UVC range to disinfect the surface of the input device 2 that is touched by an elevator user. The UVC radiation device 3 includes a UVC-LED 7 as a radiation source, which is mounted in a housing 10. The housing 10 of the UVC radiation device 3 is mounted on the top 6 of the car. The UVC-LED 7 is disposed in the UVC radiation device 3 such that the radiation direction of the radiation source or UVC-LED points upwards. The UVC radiation device 3 also has at least one reflector 13 implemented as a concave mirror. The reflector 13 is configured such that the radiation from the reflector 13 is directed onto the input device. The radiation direction of the reflector 13 is determined according to… Figure 2 In the side view, it is represented by fan-shaped radiating lines; below Figure 3 The UVC radiation from UVC radiation device 3 can be seen more clearly, with the radiation direction represented by a single line.

[0044] The UVC radiation device 3 has a box-shaped housing 10. The housing 10 includes an upper housing side 16 planarly positioned on the top of the car, a lower housing side 17 opposite the upper housing side and preferably extending parallel to the upper housing side, and housing sidewalls 18 and 19 extending perpendicularly to the upper housing side 16 and the lower housing side 17. To enclose the internal space of the housing 10, a transparent, UVC-permeable disc-shaped element 15 is provided in the region of the front housing sidewall 19. A UVC-LED 7 is mounted on a circuit board 11, which is fixed to the lower housing side 17.

[0045] exist Figure 4 The diagram shows structural details of a possible design for the UVC radiation device 3. The housing 10 includes a one-piece housing member 14 on which the UVC-LED 7 and reflector 13 are fixed. The housing member 14 can be formed, for example, from an extruded aluminum profile.

[0046] Therefore, from Figure 4 As can be seen, UVC-LEDs 7 are formed in rows extending in the x-direction. Each row includes multiple spaced-apart UVC-LEDs arranged side by side. In the first row of radiation sources, each UVC-LED or radiation source is designated as 7, 7', 7" here. Each UVC-LED 7, 7', 7" is associated with reflector 13.

[0047] UVC-LEDs 7, 7', and 7” are arranged side by side and mounted on the circuit board 11. A tab-shaped protrusion 12 is formed on the lower side 17 of the housing. Here, the circuit board 11 is located on the upper end of the tab-shaped protrusion 12.

[0048] Depending on the size of the surface to be irradiated in the input device 2, more than one row of radiation sources may be needed in the UVC radiation device 3. This arrangement... Figure 5 As shown in the figure, for better understanding only Figure 5 The diagram shows the radiation source and reflector. The housing, which houses the radiation source and reflector, is not shown. The arrangement shown involves two rows of radiation sources and reflectors. The first row comprises UVC-LEDs 7, 7', 7”, etc., arranged side-by-side. These UVC-LEDs 7, 7', 7” are arranged adjacent to each other at a regular spacing, where the distance between two UVC-LEDs can be at least 5 cm. The associated reflectors, constructed as concave mirrors, are indicated by 13, 13', 13”, etc. The second row of UVC-LEDs 8 is similarly designed.

[0049] Figure 6 Another UVC radiation device 3 is shown, which is used to irradiate the input device 2 with radiation in the UVC range to disinfect surfaces touched by elevator users. This UVC radiation device 3 is related to... Figure 4 The main difference in the UVC radiation device shown lies in the different structure of the housing 10. Here, the housing 10 is designed in multiple parts. To dissipate the heat generated by the UVC-LED 7 in its chip and other electronic components used to operate the UVC-LED 7, cooling ribs 21 are molded on the housing 10. For this purpose, the housing 10 has a lower housing side 17, which has a sheet-like structure. This sheet-like structure is formed by a plurality of downward-pointing cooling ribs 21.

Claims

1. An elevator car (1) having at least one input device (2) disposed on a first car side wall (4) and having a UVC radiation device (3) for irradiating the input device (2) with radiation in the UVC range, wherein, The UVC radiation device (3) is provided or can be provided on the top of the car (6), and the UVC radiation device (3) includes a plurality of UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7") arranged side by side in the horizontal direction as radiation sources. The UVC radiation device (3) is characterized by including reflectors (13, 13', 13") designed as concave mirrors, wherein each radiation source is equipped with a reflector (13, 13', 13"), and the UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7") are arranged or can be provided in the UVC radiation device (3) such that their radiation direction points upwards. The UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7") are mounted in a box-shaped housing (10), which is mounted on the top of the car (6). The UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7") arranged side by side are mounted on a circuit board (11), which is arranged on the end of a tab-shaped protrusion (12) molded on the lower side (17) of the housing (10). The UVC radiation device (3) has a housing (10) with a lower side (17) of the housing, wherein the lower side (17) of the housing has a sheet-like structure with a plurality of downwardly pointing cooling ribs (21).

2. The elevator car (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The UVC-LED (7, 7', 7") is mounted in a housing (10), the housing including an integral housing component (14), wherein the UVC-LED (7, 7', 7") and reflector (13, 13', 13") are fixed on the housing component (14).

3. The elevator car (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The housing (10) has an upper housing side (16) that is horizontally placed on the top of the car (6) in a planar shape and a lower housing side (17) opposite to the upper housing side.

4. The elevator car (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lower plane of the housing extends parallel to the upper plane of the housing.

5. The elevator car (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The UVC radiation device (3) has a disc-shaped component (15) to enclose the internal space of the box-shaped housing (10).

6. The elevator car (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The UVC radiation device (3) has at least two rows of radiation sources equipped with UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7") arranged sequentially to each other.

7. The elevator car (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each radiation source row having UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7”, 8, 9) is arranged on an inclined side (22), wherein the side (22) is arranged to directly irradiate the input device (2) such that the radiation direction of the radiation source is directed toward the input device (2).

8. The elevator equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, As a carrier structure for UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7”, 8, 9), a planar profile member (20) with a serrated profile is provided to form a side (22) for accommodating the radiation source row of UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7”, 8, 9).

9. The elevator car (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the radiation sources of the UVC radiation device (3) has one or more additional LEDs in addition to the UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7”, 8, 9), and the one or more additional LEDs have different emission spectra, which can produce different color mixing schemes.

10. A UVC radiation device (3) for use in an elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The UVC radiation device (3) is provided with an input device (2) for irradiating the first car side wall (4) of the elevator car (1) with radiation in the UVC range, and the UVC radiation device (3) can be arranged on the car top (6) of the elevator car (1), wherein the UVC radiation device (3) includes a plurality of UVC-LEDs (7, 7', 7") arranged side by side in the horizontal direction as radiation sources.

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