Elevator car assembly

Abstract

An elevator car assembly (100) is provided. The elevator car assembly (100) includes an elevator car operating panel (106) including a user interface (124) on a front face (108) and a first connector portion (112) on a rear face (110), and an elevator cab (102) including a plurality of elevator cab walls (104) including at least one elevator cab wall (104) for mounting the elevator car operating panel (106) thereon, the at least one elevator cab wall (104) including a second connector portion (114). The first connector portion (112) is configured to form a releasable electrical connection with the second connector portion (114).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed information pertains to elevator car control panels, elevator cabins, and elevator car components including the elevator cabins and elevator car control panels. Background Technology

[0002] An elevator car generally includes an elevator car control panel (“COP”) located inside the elevator car. The COP may include various electronic components, such as buttons for selecting the desired floor, a display screen, an emergency stop switch, alarm buttons, door open and close buttons, and maintenance switches.

[0003] Each of the electronic components generally requires manual wiring between the COP and the junction box (typically located on top of the elevator car). This manual wiring results in complex maintenance procedures that are difficult to perform in situ. Furthermore, updating the COP (e.g., adding additional features, replacing existing components, or providing aesthetic updates) is difficult and time-consuming, and such updates often require a complete replacement of the elevator car casing, which can be expensive.

[0004] The elevator car control panel and elevator car components disclosed herein aim to address one or more of these shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, an elevator car assembly is provided, comprising:

[0006] An elevator car control panel, comprising a user interface on a front surface and a first connector portion on a rear surface; and

[0007] An elevator cabin includes multiple walls, including at least one elevator cabin wall for mounting an elevator car operation panel thereon, the at least one elevator cabin wall including a second connector portion.

[0008] The first connector portion is configured to form a releasable electrical connection with the second connector portion.

[0009] Optionally, one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion is a male connector portion, and the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion is a female connector portion.

[0010] Optionally, the first connector portion is configured to be inserted into the second connector portion.

[0011] Optionally, the first connector portion includes at least one pin contact, and the second connector portion includes at least one receptacle contact configured to cooperate with the at least one pin contact.

[0012] Optionally, the first connector portion includes at least one receptacle contact, and the second connector portion includes at least one pin contact configured to cooperate with the at least one receptacle contact.

[0013] Optionally, the first connector portion and the second connector portion are configured to push-fit together.

[0014] Optionally, the first connector portion is further configured to form a releasable data connection with the second connector portion.

[0015] Optionally, the elevator car control panel includes a printed circuit board between the front and rear surfaces, and the first connector portion is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

[0016] Optionally, the second connector portion is electrically connected to the circuitry on the elevator cabin.

[0017] Optionally, the elevator car control panel is configured for releasable mounting to at least one elevator car wall.

[0018] Optionally, the elevator car control panel includes a mechanical coupling configured to be releasably connected to a corresponding coupling on at least one elevator car wall.

[0019] Optionally, the mechanical connection includes a first part of a hinge mechanism, and a corresponding connection includes a second part of a hinge mechanism, wherein the first part of the hinge mechanism is configured to cooperate with the second part of the hinge mechanism such that the elevator car control panel is hinged relative to at least one elevator car wall.

[0020] Optionally, the elevator car assembly further includes at least one fixing element configured to fix the elevator car operation panel in an installation position relative to at least one elevator car wall.

[0021] Optionally, the user interface includes at least one elevator controller, which includes at least one of a switch, a button, and a display, each of which is accessible via or disposed on the front surface of the elevator car operation panel.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, an elevator cabin is provided, comprising:

[0023] Multiple elevator car walls, including at least one elevator car wall for mounting an elevator car operation panel thereon, the at least one elevator car wall including a second connector portion;

[0024] The second connector portion is configured to form a releasable electrical connection with the first connector portion located on the rear surface of the elevator car control panel.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the disclosure, an elevator car control panel is provided, comprising:

[0026] The user interface on the front surface of the elevator car control panel and the first connector portion on the rear surface of the elevator car control panel;

[0027] The first connector portion is configured to form a releasable electrical connection with a second connector portion located on at least one wall of the elevator car.

[0028] The various examples described herein advantageously provide an elevator car control panel that is simpler to install and easier to replace compared to existing elevator car control panels. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Some examples of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings (by way of example only), in which:

[0030] Figure 1 Elevator car components are shown;

[0031] Figure 2 Another example of an elevator car assembly is shown;

[0032] Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the elevator car control panel is shown;

[0033] Figure 4 A cross-sectional side view of the elevator car wall is shown;

[0034] Figures 5a to 5d show the methods used to... Figure 3 The elevator car control panel is installed on Figure 4 The steps on the elevator cabin wall;

[0035] Figure 6a and Figure 6b An exterior view showing another example of an elevator cabin with an elevator car control panel installed;

[0036] Figure 7 Show Figure 6a and Figure 6b Detailed view of the mechanical connection in the example;

[0037] Figure 8a and Figure 8b An exterior view of another example of an elevator cabin with an elevator car control panel installed is shown.

[0038] Figure 9 Show Figure 8a and Figure 8b Detailed view of the mechanical connection in the example;

[0039] Figure 10a and Figure 10b Show Figure 6a and Figure 6b as well as Figure 8a and Figure 8b A detailed view of the example electrical connections;

[0040] Figure 11 An exterior view showing another example of an elevator cabin;

[0041] Figure 12a shows an elevator car control panel installed. Figure 11 The elevator cabin;

[0042] Figure 12b shows a detailed view of the electrical connections of Figure 12a; and

[0043] Figure 13a and Figure 13b Detailed views of the mechanical connection between the elevator car control panel and the elevator cabin wall, as shown in the examples of Figures 12a and 12b.

[0044] In the diagram, similar reference numerals indicate similar parts. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Figure 1 An elevator car assembly 100 is shown. The elevator car assembly 100 includes an elevator cabin 102, which includes a plurality of walls 104. For illustrative purposes, Figure 1 Elevator cabin 102 is shown with an open side, but it will be understood that elevator cabin 102 will generally include additional walls and elevator doors for access to elevator cabin 102. For example, access to elevator cabin 102 may be provided in the direction of arrow A via a sliding door (which is provided in place of at least a portion of elevator cabin wall 104).

[0046] The elevator car assembly 100 also includes an elevator car operation panel 106, which is mounted on one of a plurality of elevator car walls 104. The elevator car operation panel 106 includes a user interface 124, which may include various elevator controllers. For example, the elevator controller may include a button for selecting a target floor, a maintenance switch, and a display that can show the user information such as the selected target floor, the current floor, and the direction of movement of the elevator car assembly 100.

[0047] In this example, the elevator car control panel 106 is sized to extend over a portion of one of the plurality of elevator car walls 104, from the floor 126 of the elevator car 102 to the top of the elevator car 102. In other examples, the elevator car control panel 106 may be sized to extend over the entire width of the elevator car wall 104. In other examples (such as...), Figure 2In the example shown, the elevator car control panel 106 may be configured to extend over a portion of the height and width of the elevator car wall 104. It will be understood that the elevator car control panel 106 may be configured with different sizes and shapes depending on the number and type of elevator controllers included on the elevator car control panel 106 and the aesthetic requirements of the elevator car 102.

[0048] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Schematic views showing cross-sectional side views of the elevator car control panel 106 and the elevator car wall 104 to which it is mounted. The elevator car control panel 106 includes a front surface 108 and a rear surface 110. A user interface 124 is provided on the front surface 108, such that each of the elevator controllers is accessible through or located on the front surface 108 of the elevator car control panel 106. The elevator car control panel 106 also includes a first connector portion 112 provided on the rear surface 110.

[0049] The elevator car wall 104 (on which the elevator car control panel 106 is mounted) includes a second connector portion 114. A first connector portion 112 is configured to form a releasable electrical connection with the second connector portion 114. That is, the first connector portion 112 is configured to cooperate with the second connector portion 114 to form a releasable electrical connection.

[0050] The elevator control panel 106 may include a printed circuit board between the front surface 108 and the rear surface 110. A first connector portion 112 may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board. In one example, the first connector portion 112 may be a male connector soldered to the printed circuit board. A second connector portion 114 may be electrically connected to circuitry on or in the elevator cabin 102. In one example, the second connector portion 114 may be a bus connector configured to connect to wires on or in the elevator cabin 102.

[0051] In some examples, the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 are further configured to form a data connection for data transmission. For example, this can be used for communication between the elevator car control panel 106 and the elevator controller. In other examples, a third connector portion may be located on the elevator car control panel 106, and a fourth connector portion may be located on the elevator car wall 104. The third and fourth connector portions may be configured to cooperate to form a dedicated data connection independent of the electrical connection. This can be advantageous because a separate data connection can provide higher speed data transmission. It will be understood that the third and fourth connector portions may be configured similarly to the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114, which are described in more detail below.

[0052] One of the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 may be a male connector portion, and the other of the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 may be a female connector portion.

[0053] In this example, the first connector portion 112 is a male connector portion, and the second connector portion 114 is a female connector portion. In other examples, the first connector portion 112 may be a female connector portion, and the second connector portion 114 may be a male connector portion.

[0054] The first connector portion 112 is configured to be inserted into or plugged into the second connector portion 114 to form an electrical connection. The first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 can be configured to form a push-fit connection. In this way, during installation or maintenance, the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 can be simply pushed together to form an electrical connection and pulled apart to release the electrical connection. Therefore, this reduces the need for any tools required to electrically connect or disconnect the elevator car control panel 106 from the elevator car wall 104.

[0055] In one example, the first connector portion 112 may include a plurality of pin contacts, and the second connector portion 114 may include a plurality of receptacle contacts configured to cooperate with the plurality of pin contacts. The pin contacts are configured to be slidably received in the receptacle contacts such that a releasable electrical connection can be formed.

[0056] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various connectors configured for transmitting power and / or data are suitable for use as the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114. In some examples, standard connectors, including HDMI, fiber, USB, or USB-C, may be used. Alternatively, custom connectors specifically designed for the elevator car control panel 106 may be used. In some examples, connectors configured to provide both electrical and data connectivity may be used. The first connector portion may include both electrical and data contacts configured to engage with corresponding contacts on the second connector portion.

[0057] The elevator car control panel 106 can be further configured for releasable mounting to the elevator car wall 104. For example, the elevator car control panel 106 may include a mechanical coupling 116 configured to releasably engage with a corresponding coupling 118 on the elevator car wall 104. In this way, the elevator car control panel 106 can be installed, removed, and replaced relatively easily.

[0058] In this example, mechanical connector 116 includes a first portion of a hinge mechanism. In this example, the first portion of the hinge mechanism is a hinge rod 120 positioned along the lower edge of the elevator car operating panel 106. The corresponding connector 118 includes a second portion of the hinge mechanism. In this example, the second portion of the hinge mechanism is a longitudinal groove or recess 122 configured to receive the hinge rod 120 of the first portion of the hinge mechanism. The first portion of the hinge mechanism is configured to cooperate with the second portion of the hinge mechanism such that the elevator car operating panel 106 is hinged relative to the elevator car wall 104. In this example, when the hinge rod 120 engages with the groove or recess 122, the elevator car operating panel 106 is hinged about the axis of the hinge rod 120.

[0059] The elevator car assembly 100 may further include at least one securing element configured to secure the elevator car operation panel 106 to the elevator car wall 104. The at least one securing element may include one or more screws, bolts, or locking elements. The screws, bolts, or locking elements may be positioned away from mechanical couplings and may secure the elevator operation panel 106 to the elevator car wall 104. The securing element may be suitably configured to prevent unauthorized removal of the elevator car operation panel 106 from the elevator car wall 104. For example, the securing element may be tamper-proof. For example, the securing element may require a unique key or tool to release the securing element and remove the elevator car operation panel 106 from the elevator car wall 104.

[0060] Now turn to Figures 5a through 5d, which show the methods used to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The steps for installing the elevator car operation panel 106 in the elevator car 102. In the first step, as shown in FIG5a, the elevator car operation panel 106 is positioned inside the elevator car 102, wherein the rear surface 110 faces the elevator car wall 104 including the second connector portion 114.

[0061] In the second step, as shown in FIG5b, the hinge rod 120 forming the first part of the hinge mechanism is connected to the second part of the hinge mechanism in the elevator car wall 104. In this example, the first part of the hinge mechanism is located on the lower edge of the elevator car operation panel 106. Therefore, the lower edge of the elevator car operation panel 106 is first connected to the elevator car wall 104 via the hinge mechanism.

[0062] In the third step, as shown in Figure 5c, the elevator car operation panel 106 is hinged relative to the elevator cabin wall 104, so that the upper edge of the elevator car operation panel 106 moves toward the elevator cabin wall 104.

[0063] In the fourth step, the hinge of the elevator car control panel 106 continues until the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 cooperate to form the electrical connection shown in FIG5d. In this example, the first connector portion 112 is inserted into the second connector portion 114 as the elevator car control panel 106 is hinged closer to the elevator car wall 104.

[0064] An exterior view of elevator cabin 102 is shown. Figure 6a and Figure 6b A similar hinge mechanism can also be seen. In this example, the elevator car wall 104 (on which the elevator car control panel 106 is mounted) is shown in a semi-transparent view, allowing the elevator car control panel 106 to be seen. However, it will be understood that the elevator car wall 104 may be opaque, and the elevator car control panel 106 may not be visible from the outside of the elevator car 102.

[0065] In the example shown, the first connector portion 112 is located at the upper edge of the elevator car operation panel 106, away from the first portion of the hinge mechanism. This is advantageous because it allows the first connector portion 112 to be more accurately aligned with the second connector portion 114. This is because at the point where the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 contact during the hinge of the elevator car operation panel 106, the elevator car operation panel 106 is nearly vertical, making the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 almost axially aligned. This helps to allow the first connector portion 112 to be more easily inserted into the second connector portion 114.

[0066] Figure 7 An exemplary hinge mechanism 132 is shown in further detail. As shown, the first part of the hinge mechanism 132 is a hinge rod 120, which is coupled to the rear surface of the elevator car operation panel 106, for example via connecting members provided at each end of the hinge rod 120.

[0067] The second part of the hinge mechanism 132 includes a plurality of hook portions 122. Each hook portion 122 includes a fixing portion for securing to the elevator car wall 104 (e.g., via one or more screws) and a hook portion configured to receive the hinge rod 120. The hook portion may be suitably configured to be resilient, such that the hinge rod can snap into the hook portion. This facilitates easier installation by securely positioning the hinge rod 120 into the hook portion 122 before hinged the elevator car operation panel 106 to its final position.

[0068] Although the first part of the hinge mechanism 132 is in Figures 1 to 7In the example shown, the hinge mechanism 132 is located on the lower edge of the elevator car operation panel 106. In other examples, the first portion of the hinge mechanism 132 may be provided along any other edge of the elevator car operation panel 106. For example, the first portion of the hinge mechanism 132 may be provided along one of the top, bottom, and side edges of the elevator car operation panel 106. Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 9 In the example shown, the hinge mechanism 132 is provided along the side edge of the elevator car operation panel 106. Apart from its location, Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 9 The hinge mechanism 132 and the reference Figure 7 The articulated mechanisms described are essentially the same and will not be described in detail again.

[0069] Now refer to Figure 10a and Figure 10b The first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 are shown in further detail. As illustrated, in this example, the first connector portion 112 is positioned on the rear surface 110 of the elevator car operation panel 106. The first connector portion 112 is a male connector portion and therefore extends outward from the rear surface 110 of the elevator car operation panel 106. The second connector portion 114 is disposed in the elevator car wall 104. The second connector portion 114 is a female connector portion 104 and, in this example, is recessed into the elevator car wall 104.

[0070] The first connector portion 112 includes a receiving contact 128 at an end of the rear surface 110 of the elevator car operation panel 106. The second connector portion 114 includes a pin contact 130 extending from a recessed base of the second connector portion 114, partially facing the surface of the elevator car wall 104. When the first connector portion 112 is engaged with the second connector portion 114, the male connector portion is inserted into the female connector portion and the receiving contact 128 receives the pin contact 130 to form an electrical connection.

[0071] Although Figure 10a and Figure 10b The example shows a receptacle contact 128 and a pin contact 130. It will be understood that the first connector portion 112 may include a plurality of receptacle contacts 128, and the second connector portion 114 may include a plurality of corresponding pin contacts 130. The pin contacts 130 may alternatively be part of the first connector portion 112 (male connector portion), and the receptacle contacts 128 may be part of the second connector portion 114 (female connector portion).

[0072] Now refer to Figure 11Figures 12a and 12b show an elevator car assembly including an elevator car operation panel 106 and an elevator cabin wall 104, which has an alternative mechanical connection 116, a corresponding connection 118, a first connector portion 112 and a second connector portion 114. Figure 11 The remaining elements of the examples in Figures 12a and 12b are substantially the same as those previously described and will not be described in detail again.

[0073] Figure 13a and Figure 13b The alternative mechanical coupling 116 and corresponding coupling 118 are shown in further detail. In this example, the mechanical coupling 116 includes first and second spaced-apart hooks extending from the rear surface of the elevator car operation panel 106. The elevator car wall 104 includes a corresponding coupling 118, which includes first and second spaced-apart slots or orifices. The first and second hooks are configured to engage the lower edges of the corresponding slots or orifices, thereby suspending the elevator car operation panel 106 onto the elevator car wall 104.

[0074] like Figure 13a As shown, during installation, the elevator car operation panel 106 is first positioned relative to the elevator car wall 104 such that the first and second hook slots are engaged with the upper regions of the corresponding first and second slots or orifices. The elevator car operation panel 106 is then pushed in a generally downward direction until the first and second hooks engage with the lower edges of the first and second slots or orifices.

[0075] In this example, as shown in Figure 12b, the electrical connection configuration is... Figure 8b The example is the opposite. That is, the first connector portion 112 is a female connector portion including pin contacts 130, and the second connector portion 114 is a male connector portion including receptacle contacts 128. To allow the elevator car operation panel 106 to be mounted to the elevator car wall 104 via the first and second hooks and slots, the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 are configured to form a sliding electrical connection. That is, the first connector portion 112 is configured to slide relative to the second connector portion 114 while maintaining the electrical connection between the pin contacts 130 and the receptacle contacts 128. For example, the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion may extend vertically such that the first connector portion 112 can be positioned on the second connector portion 114 and configured to slide on the second connector portion 114 when the elevator car operation panel 106 is pushed down to engage the first and second hooks with the lower edges of the first and second slots or orifices. In this way, the first connector portion 112 and the second connector portion 114 can form an electrical connection through push-in engagement and sliding action.

[0076] The elevator car control panel 106 can be additionally fixed to the elevator car wall 104 using one or more fixing elements as described above.

[0077] It will be understood that any of the exemplary elevator car assemblies described herein may include one or more elevator car operation panels, as described in any of the examples herein, fixed to the elevator car wall. In an elevator car assembly comprising multiple elevator car operation panels, each elevator car operation panel may include a user interface having an elevator controller that is the same as or different from the other elevator car operation panels.

[0078] It will be understood that any of the elevator car control panels described herein may include multiple electrical connections and multiple data connections. The data connections may be configured similarly to any of the electrical connections described herein. It will also be understood that a single first and second connector portion may provide both electrical and data connections simultaneously.

[0079] Although in some of the examples described herein, the first connector portion is located at the upper edge of the elevator car control panel, it will be understood that the location of the first connector portion can be on any part of the rear surface of the elevator car control panel, and is not limited to the upper edge. Similarly, the second connector portion can be located on any part of the elevator car wall to correspond to the location of the first connector portion on the elevator car control panel.

[0080] The various examples described herein advantageously provide an elevator car control panel that can be installed, removed, and replaced relatively easily, thus creating a "plug-and-play" type interface between the elevator car control panel and the elevator car. The elevator car control panel can be delivered as a standalone item without requiring multiple cables or any specific tools.

[0081] The elevator car control panel described herein allows for simple replacement of existing elevator car control panels, such as enabling various aesthetic updates to the elevator cabin without requiring specific maintenance personnel to perform the updates. This allows for more time-efficient elevator cabin updates and aesthetic renovations compared to existing elevator car control panels.

[0082] The easily replaceable elevator car control panel described in this article further simplifies maintenance and repair procedures because it can be quickly replaced with a temporary one while the original control panel is being repaired, maintained, or repaired. This allows the elevator to continue operating while the control panel is being repaired, minimizing inconvenience to the user.

[0083] The elevator car control panel described in this article is more site-friendly because changes to it can be made entirely from inside the elevator car. Maintenance personnel do not need to go to the top of the elevator car or to a work platform to connect or disconnect wiring from the control panel.

[0084] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this disclosure is illustrated by describing one or more examples, but is not limited to these examples; many variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An elevator car assembly (100), comprising: an elevator car operating panel (106) including a user interface (124) on a front surface (108) and a first connector portion (112) on a rear surface (110); and an elevator cabin (102) including a plurality of walls (104) including at least one elevator cabin wall (104) for mounting the elevator car operating panel (106) thereon, the at least one elevator cabin wall (104) including a second connector portion (114); wherein the first connector portion (112) is configured to form a releasable electrical connection with the second connector portion (114); wherein the first connector portion (112) includes at least one pin contact (130) and the second connector portion (114) includes at least one receptacle contact (128) configured to cooperate with the at least one pin contact (130), or wherein the first connector portion (112) includes at least one receptacle contact (128) and the second connector portion (114) includes at least one pin contact (130) configured to cooperate with the at least one receptacle contact (128).

2. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein, One of the first connector portion (112) and the second connector portion (114) is a male connector portion and the other of the first connector portion (112) and the second connector portion (114) is a female connector portion.

3. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The first connector portion (112) is configured for insertion into the second connector portion (114).

4. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The first connector portion (112) and the second connector portion (114) are configured to push fit together.

5. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The first connector portion (112) is further configured to form a releasable data connection with the second connector portion (114).

6. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The elevator car operating panel (106) includes a printed circuit board between the front surface (108) and the rear surface (110), and the first connector portion (112) is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board.

7. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The second connector portion (114) is electrically coupled to a circuit on the elevator cabin (102).

8. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The elevator car operating panel (106) is configured for releasable mounting to the at least one elevator cabin wall (104).

9. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The elevator car operating panel (106) includes a mechanical coupling (116) configured to releasably couple with a corresponding coupling (118) on the at least one elevator cabin wall (104).

10. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 9, wherein, The mechanical coupling (116) includes a first portion of a hinging mechanism and the corresponding coupling includes a second portion of the hinging mechanism, wherein the first portion of the hinging mechanism is configured to cooperate with the second portion of the hinging mechanism such that the elevator car operating panel (106) hinges relative to the at least one elevator cabin wall (104).

11. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising at least one securing element configured to secure the elevator car operating panel (106) in an installed position relative to the at least one elevator cabin wall (104).

12. The elevator car assembly (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The user interface (124) comprises at least one elevator controller comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a display, each of which is accessible through or disposed on a front surface (108) of the elevator car operating panel (106).

Images