Door panel assembly for an elevator door

Abstract

Door panel assembly (1 ) for an elevator door, comprising: a door panel (10); a heat-insulating assembly (20) associated with the door panel (10), said heat-insulating assembly (20) comprising: - a heat-insulating panel (2) having a plurality of sides and defining two opposite main surfaces (2a, 2b); - a sheet metal layer (3) applied to one of the main surfaces (2a, 2b); - a frame assembly (4) comprising one C-profile element (41) for each side of the heat-insulating panel (2), each C-profile element (41) developing along its corresponding side and being arranged to cover said side.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELEVATOR DOOR

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a door panel assembly for an elevator door. In particular, the present invention finds application in fire-cutting doors for elevator.

[0005] Background art

[0006] It is known the use of heat-insulating panel associated with door panel to enhance the fire resistance properties of elevator doors. However, the known solutions do not ensure fire resistance for an adequate amount of time.

[0007] One known solution envisages the use of an aluminium foil applied on the heat-insulating panel. The main drawback of this solution is that the foil quickly melts down, and is no longer able to prevent the escape of vapours that ignite.

[0008] The need is felt for a fire-cutting door in an elevator which is able to ensure fire resistance for from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes or more.

[0009] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a door panel assembly for an elevator door, which overcomes the drawbacks in the prior art as described above.

[0010] Disclosure of the invention

[0011] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a door panel assembly for an elevator door, with enhanced fire-cutting properties with respect to the prior art.

[0012] The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a door panel assembly for an elevator door, comprising: a door panel; a heat-insulating assembly associated with the door panel, said heatinsulating assembly comprising:

[0013] - a heat-insulating panel having a plurality of sides and defining two opposite main surfaces; - a sheet metal layer applied to the heat-insulating panel in correspondence of one of the main surfaces;

[0014] - a frame assembly comprising one C-profile element for each side of the heat-insulating panel, each C-profile element being arranged to cover the corresponding side of the heat-insulating panel.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the sheet metal layer extends such that, in proximity of each side of the heat-insulating panel, it is contained within the corresponding C-profile element.

[0016] According to a first embodiment, the sheet metal layer is applied to one of the main surfaces.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the sheet metal layer has folded edges which define walls delimiting an inner space, the heat-insulating panel being partly housed in said inner space.

[0018] According to a second embodiment, the heat-insulating assembly comprises an aluminium adhesive tape applied to the main surface so that the aluminium adhesive tape is interposed between the main surface and the sheet metal layer.

[0019] Preferably, the aluminium adhesive tape covers at least the majority of the main surface. More preferably, the aluminium adhesive tape covers the entirety of the main surface.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the heat-insulating assembly is arranged at a distance from the door panel so that it is not in direct contact with the door panel.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the main surface faces the door panel.

[0022] Brief description of drawings

[0023] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the non-limiting, description of a preferred, but nonexclusive embodiment of a door panel assembly for an elevator door, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

[0024] - figure 1 illustrates a door panel assembly for an elevator door, according to the present invention, in a frontal view;

[0025] - figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of the door panel assembly of figure 1 , along line A-A indicated in the latter;

[0026] - figure 3 illustrates a part (heat-insulating assembly) of the door panel assembly of figure 1 , in a frontal view;

[0027] - figure 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the heat-insulating assembly of figure 3 in a perspective exploded view;

[0028] - figure 5 illustrates a zoom of a side portion of the heat-insulating assembly of figure 4;

[0029] - figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of a side portion of the heat-insulating assembly according to the embodiment of figure 4;

[0030] - figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the heat-insulating assembly of figure 3 in a perspective exploded view;

[0031] - figure 8 illustrates a zoom of a side portion of the heat-insulating assembly of figure 7;

[0032] - figure 9 illustrates a sectional view of a side portion of the heat-insulating assembly according to the embodiment of figure 7;

[0033] - figure 10 illustrates a part (panel assembly) of the door panel assembly of figure 1 , in a frontal view.

[0034] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0035] With reference to the figures, number 1 indicates a door panel assembly for an elevator door. In particular, the present invention falls within the field of fire-cutting doors for elevators, which are indicated with the class of resistance “El”.

[0036] Therefore, the door panel assembly 1 here described is a fire-cutting door panel assembly, as will become more evident from the following description.

[0037] The door panel assembly 1 comprises a door panel 10 and a heatinsulating assembly 20 associated with the door panel 10.

[0038] The heat-insulating assembly 20 comprises a heat-insulating panel 2. Preferably, the heat-insulating panel 2 is made in one piece. Preferably, the heat-insulating panel 2 has a substantially planar development defined by a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other. When in use, the first direction may be identified as “height” of the panel and the second direction as “width”. The heat-insulating panel 2 also develops along a third direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the other two directions. The dimension of the panel along the third direction is significantly lower with respect to the other two (for example 30 mm vs 1000 / 2000 mm).

[0039] The heat-insulating panel 2 has a plurality of sides. In particular, the heatinsulating panel 2 has four sides, two by two opposite and parallel.

[0040] Preferably, the heat-insulating panel 2 has a rectangular shape, therefore two opposite sides are longer than the other two sides. Therefore, they can be respectively identified as long sides and short sides.

[0041] The heat-insulating panel 2 defines two opposite main surfaces 2a, 2b.

[0042] In particular, the main surface 2a, 2b is a surface developing parallel to the planar development of the heat-insulating panel 2.

[0043] These surfaces are identified as “front” surface and “back” surface with reference to the use condition of the door panel assembly 1. Indeed, when the door panel assembly will be in use in an elevator, the front surface of the heat-insulating panel 2 will be facing outwards (with respect to the elevator shaft) and the back surface will be facing inwards (with respect to the elevator shaft).

[0044] The heat-insulating assembly 20 comprises a sheet metal layer 3 applied to the heat-insulating panel 2 in correspondence of one of the main surfaces 2a, 2b.

[0045] In particular, the sheet metal layer 3 is applied in correspondence of the main surface 2a, 2b which faces the door panel 10. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, in particular in figure 2, the main surface 2b is the one facing the door panel 10.

[0046] According to a first embodiment, the sheet metal layer 3 is applied to one of the main surfaces 2a, 2b. Preferably, the sheet metal layer 3 covers most of the main surface 2a, 2b. Preferably, the sheet metal layer 3 covers the entirety of the main surface 2a, 2b.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the sheet metal layer 3 contacts the heatinsulating panel 2 only at the main surface 2a, 2b.

[0048] According to one alternative embodiment, the sheet metal layer 3 has folded edges 3a which define walls delimiting an inner space. The heatinsulating panel 2 is at least partly housed in the inner space.

[0049] In this embodiment, the sheet metal layer 3 embraces the sides of the heat-insulating panel 2.

[0050] Preferably, the folded edges 3a protrude from the sheet metal layer 3 according to a direction which is substantially orthogonal to it. In particular, the sheet metal layer 3 with the folded edges resembles a baking tray.

[0051] The heat-insulating assembly 20 comprises a frame assembly 4 comprising one C-profile element 41 for each side of the heat-insulating panel 2.

[0052] The C-profile element 41 is arranged to cover the side. In other words, the C-profile element 41 embraces the side. In particular, the side of the heatinsulating panel 2 is housed inside the C-profile element 41 .

[0053] Preferably, the C-profile element 41 develops along the corresponding side of the heat-insulating panel 2.

[0054] The combination of panel 2, layer 3 and frame assembly 4 defines a so- called “sandwich” which avoid the escape of gases generated during the fire, which usually would tend to ignite flames. Therefore, it enhances the fire-cutting properties of door panel assembly 1. Thanks to this configuration, it is possible to achieve a door panel assembly 1 which resist to fire.

[0055] In particular, the C-profile elements 41 which embraces the side serves to cut the fire out.

[0056] In particular, the C-profile element 41 comprises a central member having two opposite sides. From each one of the two opposite sides originate a first and second members, respectively. The first member and the second member develops away from the central member according to parallel directions, which are orthogonal to the central member.

[0057] Preferably, the C-profile element 41 is zinc-coated.

[0058] Preferably, the sheet metal layer 3 extends so that in proximity of each side of the heat-insulating panel 2 it is contained within the corresponding C-profile element 41 .

[0059] In the embodiment of the sheet metal layer 3 with folded edges 3a, the folded edge 3a is interposed between the side of the heat-insulating panel 2 and the C-profile element 41. In particular, the folded edge 3a abuts against the central member of the C-profile element 41 .

[0060] According to a second embodiment, the heat-insulating assembly 20 comprises an aluminium adhesive tape 5 applied to the main surface 2a, 2b of the heat-insulating panel 2 so that the aluminium adhesive tape 5 is interposed between the main surface 2a, 2b and the sheet metal layer 3.

[0061] According to the preferred embodiment, the aluminium adhesive tape 5 covers the entirety of the main surface 2a, 2b.

[0062] With the use of the aluminium adhesive tape 5 in combination with the sheet metal layer 3, it is possible to achieve a door panel assembly 1 which resist to fire up to 2 hours or more.

[0063] According to the preferred embodiment, the heat-insulating assembly 20 is arranged so as to be at a distance from the door panel 10. In other words, the heat-insulating assembly 20 is not in direct contact with the door panel 10.

[0064] For example, the heat-insulating assembly 20 faces the door panel 10 at a distance of 5-?15 mm from it.

[0065] Preferably, the door panel assembly 1 comprises door panel headers 30 at two opposite side of the door panel 10 (in use, upper and lower side of the door panel 10). The header is a well-known component in the field and will not be further described.

[0066] Preferably, the door panel assembly 1 comprises one or more stiffeners for the door panel headers 30. The stiffener is a well-known component in the field and will not be further described.

[0067] Preferably, the door assembly 1 comprises at least one retainer 50 for the heat-insulating assembly 20. Preferably, the retainers 50 are at least three and are arranged at three sides of the door panel 10 (top, bottom and one of the lateral sides, in particular the one facing outwards the door).

[0068] According to the illustrated embodiment, the door panel 10, the headers 30, the stiffeners and the lateral retainer 50 defines a welded subassembly.

[0069] Preferably, the door panel 10 is provided with a lateral runby. The runby is a well-known component in the field and will not be further described.

[0070] An elevator door is also object of the present invention.

[0071] The elevator door comprises at least one door panel assembly 1 according to what is described above.

[0072] Preferably, the elevator door comprises at least a right door panel assembly 1 and a left door panel assembly 1 .

[0073] The characteristics of the door panel assembly for an elevator door, according to the present invention, emerge clearly from the above description, as do the advantages.

[0074] In particular, the combination of the heat-insulating panel, the sheet metal layer arranged on one of the two main surfaces and the frame assembly of C-profile elements which covers them define a door panel assembly with enhanced fire-cutting properties with respect to prior art solutions.

[0075] The use of the aluminium adhesive tape enhances the fire resistance.

[0076] It is thus possible to resist to fire until up to 120 minutes or more.

[0077] Moreover, the embodiment with the sheet metal layer with folded edges facilitates the mounting operations in terms of ease and speed.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Door panel assembly (1 ) for an elevator door, comprising: a door panel (10); a heat-insulating assembly (20) associated with the door panel (10), said heat-insulating assembly (20) comprising:- a heat-insulating panel (2) having a plurality of sides and defining two opposite main surfaces (2a, 2b);- a sheet metal layer (3) applied to the heat-insulating panel (2) in correspondence of one of the main surfaces (2a, 2b);- a frame assembly (4) comprising one C-profile element (41 ) for each side of the heat-insulating panel (2), each C-profile element (41 ) being arranged to cover the corresponding side of the heat-insulating panel (2).

2. Door panel assembly (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet metal layer (3) extends such that, in proximity of each side of the heat-insulating panel (2), it is contained within the corresponding C-profile element (41 ).

3. Door panel assembly (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet metal layer (3) has folded edges (3a) which define walls delimiting an inner space, the heat-insulating panel (2) being partly housed in said inner space.

4. Door panel assembly (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet metal layer (3) is applied to said one of the main surfaces (2a, 2b).

5. Door panel assembly (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat-insulating assembly (20) comprises an aluminium adhesive tape (5) applied to said one of the main surfaces (2a, 2b) so that the aluminium adhesive tape (5) is interposed between said one of the main surfaces (2a, 2b) (2a, 2b) and the sheet metal layer (3).

6. Door panel assembly (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the aluminium adhesive tape (5) covers at least the majority of said one of the main surfaces (2a, 2b).

7. Door panel assembly (1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein thealuminium adhesive tape (5) covers the entirety of said one of the main surfaces (2a, 2b).

8. Door panel assembly (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat-insulating assembly (20) is arranged at a distance from the door panel (10) so that it is not in direct contact with the door panel (10).

9. Door panel assembly (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one of the main surfaces (2a, 2b) faces the door panel (10).

10. Elevator door comprising at least one door panel assembly (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images