Elevator Doorway Display via Openable Ceiling Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with disabilities, such as those in wheelchairs, or carrying large objects, face difficulties in determining if there are obstacles blocking their exit from an elevator car due to their limited ability to turn around, leading to safety concerns when the doors open at a destination floor.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with an openable ceiling and an imaging device mounted on the openable panel, capable of capturing image data of the exit zone and displaying it on a screen within the car, allowing passengers to view the area outside without needing to turn, while also enabling maintenance access through the openable ceiling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mirrors are installed in upper corners of elevator cars to allow passengers to see if something is blocking exit, then safety information is provided, but the ceiling structure becomes more complex and maintenance access is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling is segmented into a fixed portion and a movable panel portion. The movable panel can be opened to provide access to the space above the ceiling for maintenance of imaging devices and other components, while the fixed portion maintains the structural integrity and safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A camera system serves as an intermediary to capture images of the elevator car interior and transmit them to display devices. This allows passengers to view safety information without requiring physical mirrors or line-of-sight visibility, simplifying the ceiling structure while maintaining safety monitoring capabilities.
2Ease of repair
If an openable ceiling is added to permit maintenance access to the top exterior, then maintenance capability is improved, but the ceiling structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling is divided into fixed and movable segments. The movable panel provides access pathways to the top exterior and imaging device mounting locations, while maintaining a relatively simple overall ceiling structure that integrates with the existing elevator car design.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable ceiling panel serves multiple functions: it provides maintenance access to the top exterior, allows installation and servicing of imaging devices, and maintains the structural integrity of the ceiling when closed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate access mechanisms.
3Reliability
If imaging devices are mounted on the ceiling to capture detection zone images, then safety monitoring is improved, but the ceiling structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling structure is segmented to include dedicated mounting portions for imaging devices. These mounting portions are integrated into the fixed ceiling structure, allowing cameras to be positioned optimally for detecting obstructions at door openings without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Image processing and analysis algorithms serve as intermediaries between the camera sensors and the safety monitoring function. These algorithms automatically detect obstructions, identify their locations, and generate alerts, reducing the need for complex mechanical detection systems while improving monitoring reliability.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Elevator systems including an elevator car having a first elevator car door and an openable ceiling, the openable ceiling comprising a ceiling frame and an openable panel, the openable panel moveable from an open position to a closed position relative to the ceiling frame, an imaging device mounted to the openable panel and configured to capture image data of a detection zone that includes at least an opening formed by the first elevator car door when the openable panel is in the closed position, and a display located within the elevator car to display an image associated with the image data received from the imaging device. The openable panel is openable to create an access way that permits access from an interior of the elevator car to a top exterior of the elevator car.