Door system for an elevator installation

Abstract

A door system for an elevator installation comprises a door frame framing a door opening and comprising a first door post. The door system further comprises a first monitoring unit mounted on the door frame for monitoring a monitoring area of the door opening. At least one first area of the door frame comprises a first retroreflective surface extending over at least 20% of the height of the first door post. The first monitoring unit comprises a light source designed to illuminate the first retroreflective surface with a light beam. The first monitoring unit comprises a light sensor designed to measure the angularly resolved intensity of the light beam reflected from the retroreflective surface. The first monitoring unit determines an output value based on the angularly resolved intensity in such a way that the first monitoring unit identifies a situation in which the angularly resolved intensity is below a limit intensity for at least one angle. The output value comprises whether an obstacle is in the monitoring area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a door system for elevator equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In elevator systems, the car typically moves vertically along a travel path within the elevator shaft between different floors or horizontal heights. For this purpose, the door system has floor doors on each floor and at least one car door in the car. The car door and / or floor door have actuation mechanisms. To allow people or goods to enter or exit the car on a single floor, one of the floor doors and the car door can open together. To reliably close the floor door and car door, the door system has a monitoring unit that identifies obstacles in the door area, i.e., the combination of the floor door and car door, and, upon detecting an obstacle, reverses, obstructs, delays, and / or slows down the closing of the door.

[0003] An optical curtain is shown in application EP2931644. A system of multiple transmitters emitting light and multiple receivers receiving light constitutes the beam, and interruptions to the beam, such as those caused by obstacles, can be detected. This requires wiring a large number of transmitters and receivers. This can be very expensive.

[0004] US6167991B1, GB2453804A and US40291 76A also show monitoring systems with multiple transmitters and receivers in the field of gates. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring unit for a door system that can be wired at a lower cost.

[0006] The door system of the present invention achieves this objective. The door system for elevator equipment includes a door frame that frames a door opening and includes a first doorpost. The door system also includes a first monitoring unit mounted on the door frame for monitoring a monitoring area of ​​the door opening. At least one first area of ​​the door frame includes a first retroreflective surface. The first monitoring unit includes a light source designed to illuminate the first retroreflective surface with a light beam. The first monitoring unit includes a light sensor designed to measure the angularly resolved intensity of the light beam reflected from the retroreflective surface. The first monitoring unit determines an output value based on the angularly resolved intensity by monitoring for cases where the angularly resolved intensity corresponding to at least one angle or angle range is below a limiting intensity. The output value includes whether the angularly resolved intensity corresponding to at least one angle or angle range is below a limiting intensity.

[0007] The feasible features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be considered based on the concepts and findings described below, including but not limited to the present invention.

[0008] The retroreflector reflects the incident beam back essentially in the direction in which the beam is incident on the retroreflector. Here, the beam is typically radiated in a slightly fan-shaped pattern. A single beam is broadened when reflected onto a beam cone with an angle. Therefore, the opening angle can be, for example, 1°.

[0009] As mentioned at the beginning, conventional door systems have a large number of emitters that emit light and receivers that receive light. Preferably, the first monitoring unit has only a single light source. The light from the light source can be radiated as a beam fan, such that at least the first retroreflective surface is illuminated. Advantageously, the light from the light source is focused onto the retroreflective surface. The light from the light source can alternatively radiate more broadly, i.e., also in a direction different from that only onto the retroreflective surface. However, the retroreflective surface can also continue adjacent to the first region. These beams return to the first monitoring unit, having passed through the retroreflective surface. The beams are measured on the first monitoring unit by a light sensor. The light sensor is designed to determine the intensity of the light reflected from the retroreflective surface in an angularly resolved manner. For this purpose, the light sensor can be constructed as a line-scanning sensor. Here, the light sensor includes a row of sensor elements. The light is focused onto the sensor elements by optics. Light from a specific angle (i.e., from a specific position on the retroreflective surface) is focused onto each sensor element. Thus, the individual measurements of each sensor element can be summarized as an angularly resolved intensity.

[0010] Alternatively, the intensity resolved by angle can be determined by oscillating light along a retroreflective surface in the form of a narrow beam (i.e., a laser beam, for example) using a light source. Here, the beam is so narrow that the obstacle to be detected is larger than the beam width. This demonstrates the advantage of requiring only a single sensor element to measure the intensity of light reflected by the retroreflective surface in a light sensor. The optics in this case are designed to focus light from all directions of the monitored area onto a single sensor element. The intensity resolved by angle can then be determined by correlating the angle of the oscillating narrow light source over time with the intensity measured by the sensor element at the corresponding time.

[0011] Provided there are no obstructions in the optical path—that is, the path of the light beam from the light source through the retroreflective surface to the light sensor—the angularly resolved intensity of the reflected light is above the limiting intensity for all angles. If an obstacle enters the monitoring area, the obstacle prevents light from the light source from reaching the retroreflective surface due to scattering or absorption in other directions. Consequently, scattered or absorbed light beams cannot be reflected back to the first monitoring unit. For the light beam incident on the light sensor from the angle of the obstacle, the intensity measured by the sensor element decreases. Therefore, for the angle of the obstacle, the angularly resolved intensity of the reflected light falls below the limiting intensity. Thus, the first monitoring unit can at least determine that the obstacle is located within the monitoring area, i.e., within one of the regions of the optical path.

[0012] Advantageously, the sensor elements can be arranged or oriented such that the angles measured by the sensor elements are each spread out by the same angle. This produces uniform monitoring of the monitored area. Thus, obstacles that are at the same distance from the first monitoring unit and are of the same size can be identified equally well regardless of angle. In particular, because the angular spacing is the same, it is easier to recalculate the angles corresponding to the determined sensor elements of the light sensor.

[0013] Preferably, the first monitoring unit determines the output value based on the intensity resolved by angle, in such a way that the first monitoring unit determines that for at least seven, preferably adjacent, angles, the intensity resolved by angle is below a limiting intensity. In other words, it determines an intensity below the intensity resolved by angle at seven preferably adjacent sensor elements. Thus, the first monitoring unit is more robust to smaller interfering obstacles, such as dust or lint.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the height of the first region of the door frame extends over at least 20% of the height of the door frame.

[0015] This allows for monitoring of a significant area of ​​the door opening. Preferably, the retroreflective surface extends along the entire height of the door opening. This allows for monitoring of a larger area by the first monitoring unit. Furthermore, a continuously arranged retroreflective surface is less noticeable to the human eye than an interrupted retroreflective surface.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the light source is designed to emit infrared light, the retroreflective surface is designed to reflect infrared light, and the light sensor is designed to measure the intensity of the infrared light as resolved by angle.

[0017] Here, the light used is limited to the infrared spectrum. The retroreflective surface is designed such that it can retroreflect infrared light. The optical sensor is also preferably designed such that it can measure infrared light, in particular. Therefore, only the angularly resolved intensity of infrared light is measured, and other light sources, especially those not used for the function of the first monitoring unit, have little or no influence on the measurement of the angularly resolved intensity.

[0018] Infrared light is invisible to the human eye. Therefore, the light source, and consequently the first monitoring unit, remains inconspicuous to the human eye. Specifically, the retroreflective surface can have any color visible to the human eye. In particular, the retroreflective surface may also appear black or gray to the human eye, even though it retroreflects infrared light. This allows for the freedom to choose the color of the door frame.

[0019] Furthermore, the evaluation of the first monitoring unit is less affected by other light sources because strong infrared light sources are usually not installed or present in or near elevators.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the light source is designed to emit light that is frequency-modulated, the first monitoring unit has an evaluation unit designed to demodulate the intensity resolved by angle, and the first monitoring unit is designed to determine the output value based on the demodulated intensity resolved by angle.

[0021] For amplitude-modulated light, the intensity of the emitted light fluctuates at a specific frequency. This frequency can be, for example, in the range of 100Hz to 100,000Hz. A preferred value could be 500Hz to 1000Hz. The advantage of modulation is that the first monitoring unit robustly determines the output value. In particular, it prevents interference from other light sources. The probability of an interfering light source modulating at the same frequency is extremely low. Especially if the light source is also designed to emit infrared light, the probability of another light source interfering with the first monitoring unit is further reduced. This enables the first monitoring unit to operate reliably and thus contributes to the safe operation of the elevator equipment.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the retroreflective surface is applied in the form of a sprayed coating, a painted portion, or a reverse strip.

[0023] The retroreflective tape is a thin strip, preferably made of plastic, with a retroreflective surface. The retroreflective tape is adhesive. It can be a self-adhesive design. The retroreflective surface can also be applied by spraying or brushing. For this purpose, the retroreflective particles are preferably dissolved in a solvent along with an adhesive, forming a coatable or sprayable emulsion. Applying the retroreflective surface to the door frame in the form of a sprayed layer, a painted section, or a retroreflective tape allows for a very thin design. A thin retroreflective surface allows passengers or goods to pass unobstructed through the door opening. Furthermore, if the thin retroreflective surface becomes worn, for example due to elevator use, it can be easily repaired. The retroreflective surface can be easily covered or coated without the need for forced removal of the old surface. Additionally, it is advantageous to apply the retroreflective surface into a recess in the door frame, thereby at least partially protecting the retroreflective surface from scratches.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the first monitoring unit is placed in the door frame.

[0025] Therefore, the passageway through the door opening is completely open, as there are no protruding elements installed at the door frame. Surveillance devices are installed within the door frame to prevent impact. Specifically, the surveillance devices do not extend from the door frame and are thus protected from collisions and injuries by goods (such as pallet racks) or people (such as shoes).

[0026] Here, the sensor surface preferably forms a continuous surface together with the door frame surface. This means that the door frame surface extends substantially flat to the first monitoring unit. For this purpose, the first monitoring unit matches the door frame in color and structure. If the door frame's covering layer is translucent to the light used, then that layer can be distributed on the first monitoring unit. In both variations, the monitoring sensor has an inconspicuous appearance.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the first monitoring unit is installed on the door frame of the car door.

[0028] The first monitoring unit is mounted on the door frame of the elevator car, i.e., on the car itself. The number of cars in an elevator system is typically much smaller than the number of floors accessible. Otherwise, all accessible floors would have to have a first monitoring unit. The advantage of using the first monitoring unit on the car is that far fewer monitoring units are needed. Furthermore, because the car has multiple power cables and / or data lines for the elevator controller, the monitoring devices on the car can be connected to the power and / or electronic data lines much more easily than if they were deployed from a single floor. Floor doors are typically connected to the elevator controller only via safety circuits. However, safety circuits are not suitable, or are only poorly suited, for power supply or data transmission.

[0029] It would be advantageous to install monitoring units on both the elevator car door frame and the floor door frame simultaneously to achieve particularly reliable monitoring.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, a second monitoring unit is installed at the door frame.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, a third monitoring unit is installed at the door frame.

[0032] By using a second monitoring sensor and an optional third monitoring sensor, it is possible to monitor a larger area of ​​the door opening than can be done using a single sensor.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the first monitoring area of ​​the first monitoring unit overlaps with the second monitoring area of ​​the second monitoring unit.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the second monitoring area of ​​the second monitoring unit overlaps with the third monitoring area of ​​the third monitoring unit.

[0035] The overlapping monitoring areas allow for the assembly of monitoring units with greater tolerance. The overlapping monitoring areas of the door opening are monitored by at least two monitoring devices. Even if one of these monitoring devices is slightly misaligned, the overlapping monitoring areas can still be reliably monitored. Therefore, gaps are reliably eliminated between the monitoring areas. The resulting advantage is that the entire door opening can be monitored without gaps.

[0036] The second and third monitoring units can be constructed identically to the first monitoring unit. This allows for the production of more of one type of monitoring unit, thereby reducing the unit cost. Furthermore, if the first, second, and third monitoring units have different designs, the risk of potential confusion can be eliminated.

[0037] According to a first alternative embodiment, a first monitoring unit is mounted at the lower end of a first doorpost, the first monitoring unit being oriented to allow a beam of light to extend horizontally above the door sill, and another monitoring unit (preferably a second monitoring unit) is mounted at the upper end of the first doorpost, or preferably at the upper end of an opposite second doorpost.

[0038] The door opening is defined at the bottom by a horizontal threshold and at the top by a horizontal lintel. Advantageously, retroreflective surfaces are installed only on the doorposts, as they experience less wear and damage there than on the threshold. Lintels are generally not suitable for retroreflective surfaces. A notch is typically provided in the lintel to allow the door to slide. Lights can be installed to illuminate the threshold so that passengers can clearly see it.

[0039] Obstacles are often located directly on the threshold. Therefore, it is advantageous that the first monitoring unit is designed to measure at least one light beam, the optical path of which preferably extends horizontally only a few millimeters above the threshold. Preferably, the optical path extends less than 20 mm above the threshold so that thin objects, such as toes, can also be detected. Preferably, the optical path extends more than 3 mm above the threshold so that dirt or debris on the threshold does not interrupt the optical path. The horizontal optical path allows for a constant distance from the horizontal threshold across its width. Therefore, the unmonitored area of ​​the door opening below the light beam is so small as to be imperceptible. For this purpose, the retroreflective surface on the second doorpost preferably extends downwards to the threshold.

[0040] Preferably, the second monitoring unit is mounted on the upper end of the second doorpost. Preferably, the second monitoring unit is located precisely within the first area of ​​the door frame. Therefore, the first retroreflective surface is used to monitor the area by the first monitoring unit. For this purpose, the first retroreflective surface can be mounted around or adjacent to the second monitoring unit. The first retroreflective surface may also have a gap at the location of the second monitoring unit. Similarly, the second retroreflective surface can be mounted around or adjacent to the first monitoring unit. It is particularly advantageous that the first and second monitoring areas overlap. Furthermore, the second monitoring unit is mounted at least 1.6m or more above the threshold. This is advantageous because various markets stipulate that the height of the monitored door opening must be at least 1.6m above the threshold. The area located thereon can be monitored.

[0041] The monitoring area monitored by each monitoring unit is limited by the angle of the light emitted by the light source, the light path reaching the retroreflective surface, and the configuration of the light sensor to detect the reflected beam. The monitoring area of ​​all monitoring units is essentially triangular. Here, the triangle is formed by a first angle at which the monitoring unit is located. The side of the triangle opposite this point is formed by a point on the retroreflective surface illuminated by the light source and reflecting the light back to the light sensor, allowing the light sensor to measure the light intensity at that angle and incorporate its measurement into the evaluation.

[0042] The area of ​​the door opening below the second monitoring unit is divided into first and second right-angled triangular monitoring areas, wherein the lower first monitoring area is monitored by the first monitoring unit, and the upper second monitoring area is monitored by the second monitoring unit. The boundary area between these two monitoring areas is preferably monitored by both. Furthermore, the second monitoring unit may also partially monitor the area of ​​the door opening above the second monitoring unit. Here, the first monitoring unit primarily monitors the first monitoring area between the points at the lower ends of the first monitoring device, the second monitoring device, and the second doorpost. The second monitoring unit primarily monitors the second monitoring area between the second monitoring device, the first monitoring device, and a point on the first doorpost that is lower than, equal to, or higher than the second monitoring device. Preferably, this point is located approximately as far above the threshold as the second monitoring unit. Therefore, both the first and second monitoring areas can be shaped as complementary right-angled triangles forming a rectangle. Here, this rectangle at least corresponds to a portion of the door opening.

[0043] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the second monitoring unit is located only a few millimeters below the lintel, preferably less than 10mm.

[0044] This arrangement allows for complete monitoring of the door opening. Here, the first monitoring unit primarily monitors a first monitoring area between the first monitoring device, the lower corner of the door opening opposite the first monitoring device, and the second monitoring device. Here, the second monitoring unit primarily monitors a second monitoring area between the second monitoring device, the upper corner of the door opening opposite the second monitoring device, and the first monitoring device.

[0045] Preferably, the retroreflective surface extends over the entire height of the first and second goalposts, and preferably surrounds or is adjacent to the first and second goalposts at the monitoring unit.

[0046] Preferably, in this embodiment, at least one or each monitoring unit has a possible radiating angle of at least 60°, preferably 90°. Therefore, even very narrow doors can be monitored from both the top and bottom corners.

[0047] According to an optional and preferred second embodiment, the first monitoring unit is mounted at the lower end of the first doorpost with the beam extending horizontally above the door sill. The second monitoring unit is mounted in the middle region of the second doorpost opposite the first doorpost. The third monitoring unit is mounted at the upper end of the first doorpost.

[0048] In this arrangement with three monitoring units, the first monitoring unit is thus also installed as described above, such that the first monitoring unit is designed to measure at least one beam whose optical path preferably extends horizontally only a few millimeters above the threshold. This has the same advantages as the first alternative embodiment described above.

[0049] The second monitoring unit is now centrally mounted on the second gatepost. For this purpose, the second monitoring unit is preferably positioned such that the central or angle-bisectoral optical path extends horizontally within the monitoring area. That is, the upper monitoring area of ​​the second monitoring unit, preferably at least 45°, within its preferred monitoring area of ​​at least 90°, is located above the horizontal plane at the height of the second sensor, and the lower monitoring area, preferably at least 45°, is located below the horizontal plane at the height of the second sensor.

[0050] Preferably, the third monitoring unit is installed only a few millimeters below the lintel, more preferably less than 10mm.

[0051] Here, the first monitoring unit mainly monitors a first monitoring area that is substantially triangular in shape between the first monitoring device, the lower corner of the door opening opposite the first monitoring device, and the second monitoring device.

[0052] In this context, the second monitoring unit primarily monitors a second monitoring area that is essentially triangular in shape between the second monitoring device, the first monitoring device, and the third monitoring device.

[0053] Here, the third monitoring unit mainly monitors the third monitoring area, which is basically triangular in shape between the third monitoring device, the upper corner of the door opening opposite the third monitoring device, and the second monitoring device.

[0054] Preferably, at least one or each monitoring unit has a beam fan with an angle slightly greater than 90°, i.e., an angle of, for example, 91° to 120°. Specifically, the second monitoring unit is positioned such that the central beam of the beam fan extends substantially horizontally. The beam fan of the second monitoring unit thus radiates downward at approximately 45°, i.e., substantially toward the first monitoring unit, and upward at approximately 45°, i.e., substantially toward the third monitoring unit. Monitoring units of the same structural type can also be used as the first and third monitoring units. The emitted beam fan then, for example, partially hits the door hinge for the first monitoring unit, but another portion of the beam fan covers the monitoring area up to the second monitoring unit. This allows for the use of a uniform model of monitoring units. This saves costs and simplifies the storage of monitoring units.

[0055] The monitoring unit can be configured to be adjustable to limit the area to be monitored. Thus, the first monitoring area of ​​the first monitoring unit can, for example, be limited to areas excluding thresholds and not detectable as obstacles. This similarly applies to all other monitoring devices and areas that should not be monitored, such as thresholds, lintels, or gaps in retroreflective surfaces. This limitation of the monitoring area is preferably performed during the evaluation. This evaluation can, for example, specifically analyze only the angularly resolved intensity corresponding to the angle range to be monitored. This means that other angle ranges are not compared to the limiting intensity at all. Alternatively, for angle ranges that should not be monitored, the limiting intensity can be reduced to a minimum so that the measured value is always above the limiting intensity. Preferably, adjustments to the angle ranges to be monitored or excluded are transmitted electronically to the corresponding monitoring unit via a data connection. Attached Figure Description

[0056] Other advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments and from the accompanying drawings, in which the same or functionally identical elements are given the same reference numerals. The drawings are schematic only and are not drawn to scale.

[0057] in:

[0058] Figure 1 This shows a door system in the open state.

[0059] Figure 2 The functional principle of the monitoring unit is shown.

[0060] Figure 3 Show corresponding Figure 2 The output of the intensity of the case analyzed by angle.

[0061] Figure 4 The image shows a door with multiple installed monitoring units. Detailed Implementation

[0062] Figure 1 The door system 56 is shown as viewed from the floor. Here, the door system is embedded in the wall 11. The floor door 19 and the car door 20 are open. A gap 18 extends between the threshold 16 on the floor side and the threshold 17 on the car side. This gap 18 ensures that the car can travel up and down in the elevator shaft without touching the threshold.

[0063] The first monitoring unit 1 is installed on the door frames 13 and 15 on the car side in a manner that embeds it into the door frames 13 and 15 on the car side. As a result, the open doors 19 and 20, the door frames 12 and 15 on the floor side, and the door frames 13 and 15 on the car side are aligned. They thus form a flat surface.

[0064] The door frames 13 and 15 on the car side have retroreflective surfaces 14. Figure 1 The visible retroreflective surface 14 is located on the right side of the door pillar on the invisible car side and serves as the retroreflective surface 14 for the second monitoring unit. The first monitoring units 1 and 41 are installed in the door opening at the lower left, and the first retroreflective surface for the first monitoring units 1 and 41 is installed on the right door frame. Figure 1 The first retroreflective surface is not shown.

[0065] Figure 2 The functional principle of monitoring unit 1 is illustrated. Monitoring unit 1 includes a light source 2 and a light sensor 3. The light source 2 emits light. Here, the light illuminates at least the retroreflective surface 14 mounted on the opposite side of the door opening. For this purpose, the light source 2 emits light. The lowest beam of light in the monitored area, measured by the light sensor and evaluated by the evaluation unit, extends horizontally slightly above the threshold.

[0066] If the light beam does not encounter an obstacle, as is the case for a beam at an angle of α2, then the retroreflective layer returns the light substantially precisely in the direction in which the beam struck the retroreflective surface 14. Here, the beam is slightly broadened, so that it is not only precisely reflected back to the light source, but also falls onto the light sensor 3, which is directly adjacent to the light source. In the absence of obstacles, i.e., when the beam is not interrupted by an obstacle such as a hand or luggage, the light sensor 3 measures a high angularly resolved intensity for a given angle within the monitored area. Here, the angularly resolved intensity is particularly higher than the limiting intensity G.

[0067] If the light beam encounters an obstacle, for example at angles α1 or α3, the light is scattered or absorbed by the obstacle. Therefore, the obstacle prevents the light from reaching the retroreflective surface 14 and being reflected back to the photosensor 3. In other words, the light beam scattered or absorbed due to the obstacle no longer extends along the light path shown by the dashed line, which it would follow without the obstacle. That is, for the angle at which the obstacle blocks the light, a low intensity is measured at the angle. Specifically, the measured intensity at the angle is less than the limiting intensity G.

[0068] Figure 3 Showing for such Figure 2 The example shown is a measurement by the light sensor 3 in the scenario depicted. For angle α1, the smaller first obstacle 5 scatters or absorbs the light. Therefore, it can be seen that the intensity measured at angle α1 is significantly reduced. The measured intensity at angle α1 is less than the determined limiting intensity G. The intensity measured at angle α1 may also vary slightly in the absence of obstacles, for example, because the intensity of reflected light decreases slightly as the distance between the retroreflective surface and the first monitoring unit increases. However, the limiting intensity G is chosen such that, in the absence of obstacles, the intensity remains above the limiting intensity G for all angles. Alternatively, the limiting intensity can be determined individually for each individual optical path, for example, based on the distance between the first monitoring unit and the retroreflective surface, such that an optimal limiting intensity for the corresponding optical path is determined for each angle.

[0069] For a larger second obstacle 4, the optical sensor 3 measures the intensity of multiple adjacent optical paths within the monitored area as being below the limit intensity, resolved by angle. The number of angle-dependent intensities measured sequentially below the limit intensity is a measure of the obstacle size.

[0070] Figure 4 The first monitoring unit 1, 41 is shown, mounted at the lower left of the first doorpost 47 of the door frame 15. The first monitoring unit 1, 41 covers the first monitoring area 44 from the threshold 50 to the second monitoring unit 1, 42. The second monitoring unit 1, 42 covers the monitoring area from the first monitoring unit 1, 41 to the third monitoring unit 1, 43, and is mounted on the second doorpost 48, 15. All monitoring units 1 are embedded in the door frame.

[0071] The second monitoring area 45 covers an angle of approximately 90°. Monitoring areas 44, 45, and 46 overlap. This allows for monitoring of the entire door opening.

[0072] The first monitoring area 44 and the third monitoring area 46 each cover an angle of approximately 45°, although the first and third monitoring units 1, 41, and 43 could also cover a monitoring area of ​​90°, for example, when used in the position of the second monitoring unit. Therefore, the limitation to 45° is solely for the purpose of limiting the monitoring area during evaluation. Consequently, the hardware of the first and second monitoring devices is preferably identical.

[0073] The first monitoring devices 1 and 41 primarily measure the light reflected back through the retroreflective surfaces 14 and 52. A small portion of the light is also reflected at the lowermost point of the first retroreflective surfaces 14 and 53 to the first monitoring unit and is measured there. This is a result of the overlap between the first and second monitoring areas. The third monitoring devices 1 and 43 primarily measure the light reflected back through the retroreflective surfaces 14 and 53. A small portion of the light is also reflected at the uppermost point of the retroreflective surfaces 14 and 52 to the third monitoring unit and is measured there. This is a result of the overlap between the third and second monitoring areas. The second monitoring device 1 and 42 primarily measures the light reflected back through the retroreflective surfaces 14 and 51. The light extends substantially across the entire height of the first doorpost. The light may also extend beside or around the monitoring unit, thus reaching the threshold and the lintel.

[0074] Light falling on the threshold 50 or lintel 49 of the door frame 15 is not reflected back to the corresponding monitoring unit 1, and thus the measured intensity values ​​resolved by angle from these directions are very small. Therefore, these measured values ​​remain consistently below the limiting intensity. Consequently, the corresponding monitoring unit is configured such that the area to be monitored is restricted. For example, the first monitoring area of ​​the first monitoring unit is thus restricted, such that the light path scattered on the threshold is excluded from evaluation, and therefore the threshold is not detected as an obstacle.

[0075] Finally, it should be noted that concepts such as "having" or "comprising" do not exclude other elements or steps, and concepts such as "an" or "a" do not exclude multiple. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of the other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims should not be considered limiting. The term "reflection" in relation to reflective surfaces refers to retroreflection, as it is rarely used in conjunction with the otherwise uncommon term "retroreflection."

Claims

1. A door system for elevator equipment, comprising: A door frame (15) frames the door opening and includes a first door post (47). A first monitoring unit (1) installed on the door frame (15) is used to monitor the monitoring areas (44, 45, 46) of the door opening, characterized in that, At least one first region of the door frame (15) includes a first retroreflective surface (14). The first monitoring unit (1) has a light source (2) designed to illuminate the first retroreflective surface (14) with a light beam, and The first monitoring unit (1) includes a light sensor (3) designed to measure the angularly resolved intensity of a light beam reflected by the first retroreflective surface (14), and The first monitoring unit (1) is designed to determine an output value based on the intensity of the angle resolution, in such a way that the first monitoring unit (1) monitors the case where the intensity of the angle resolution corresponding to at least one angle or angle range is lower than the limit intensity (G), and the output value includes whether the intensity of the angle resolution corresponding to at least one angle or at least one angle range is lower than the limit intensity (G).

2. The gate system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first retroreflective surface (14) reflects the incident beam back substantially in the direction in which the beam is incident on the first retroreflective surface.

3. The gate system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The height of the first region of the door frame (15) extends at least 20% of the height of the door opening.

4. The gate system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The light source (2) is designed to emit infrared light, and the first retroreflective surface (14) is designed to reflect the infrared light, and the light sensor (3) is designed to measure the intensity of the infrared light as resolved by angle.

5. The gate system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The light source (2) is designed to emit light that is frequency-modulated, and the first monitoring unit (1) has an evaluation unit designed to demodulate the intensity resolved by angle, and the first monitoring unit (1) is designed to determine the output value based on the demodulated intensity resolved by angle.

6. The gate system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first retroreflective surface (14) is applied in the form of a sprayed layer, a painted part, or a reverse layer.

7. The gate system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first monitoring unit (1) is placed in the door frame (15).

8. The gate system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first monitoring unit (1) is installed on the door frame (15) of the car door (20).

9. The gate system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A second monitoring unit is installed on the door frame (15).

10. The gate system according to claim 9, characterized in that... A third monitoring unit is installed on the door frame (15).

11. The gate system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first monitoring area (44) of the first monitoring unit overlaps with the second monitoring area (45) of the second monitoring unit.

12. The gate system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second monitoring area (45) of the second monitoring unit overlaps with the third monitoring area (46) of the third monitoring unit.

13. The gate system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first monitoring unit is mounted on the lower end of the first doorpost (47) in such an orientation that the beam extends horizontally above the threshold (50), and the second monitoring unit is mounted on the upper end of the first doorpost (47) or the opposite second doorpost (48).

14. The gate system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first monitoring unit is mounted at the lower end of the first gatepost (47) in such an orientation that the beam extends horizontally above the threshold (50). The second monitoring unit is installed in the middle area of ​​the second gatepost (48) opposite the first gatepost (47), and The third monitoring unit is installed on the upper end of the first gatepost (47).

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