Elevator Maintenance Push-Button Panel With Integrated LED Inspection Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control push-button panels for elevator maintenance operations lack sufficient lighting to reliably inspect the elevator shaft and pit, making it difficult for maintenance personnel to ensure safety and visibility, especially in poorly lit or humid environments.

Innovation Solution

A control push-button panel with a prismatic body featuring a hollow second portion that houses LED lighting components, which are hermetically integrated and powered by the panel's switches, providing high visibility and resistance to water and dust, allowing the light source to be moved closer to inspection areas and used as a portable torch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If small-size lamps are arranged on the control push-button panel to indicate activation status, then the panel can show whether push-buttons have been depressed, but the lighting is insufficient to illuminate the elevator shaft and pit for inspection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting intensity for inspectionVSAvoidcontrol panel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the control push-button panel with a high-intensity lighting system into a single integrated device. The panel housing contains both the control elements and the lighting member with high-power LED, merging the functions of control and illumination into one portable unit that can be moved to different inspection locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control panel is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a control device for elevator operations and as a portable lighting source for inspection. The lighting member can be used to illuminate the elevator shaft, pit, and surrounding areas, making the panel a multi-functional tool for maintenance personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If high-power LED lighting is integrated into the control panel, then the elevator shaft and pit can be properly illuminated for inspection, but the panel becomes more complex and requires hermetic integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to water and dustVSAvoidhermetic integration structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hermetic seal or protective barrier within the panel housing to enclose the lighting member and its electrical connections. This creates a protected environment that prevents water and dust ingress while maintaining the functionality of the high-power LED lighting system in harsh elevator pit conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Illumination intensity

If emergency lights and elevator bottom lighting are used, then some illumination is provided, but the capability to light the elevator shaft and pit for thorough inspection remains poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection lighting capabilityVSAvoidportability and positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is designed as a portable, movable unit that can be dynamically positioned by the operator to different locations within the elevator shaft and pit. Unlike fixed emergency lights, this integrated panel can be moved closer to specific inspection areas, providing dynamic lighting that adapts to the operator's needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables reliable and safe inspection of the elevator shaft and pit during maintenance, ensuring operator safety and visibility, even in humid or flooded conditions, while maintaining ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a lighting member (31) integrated into said second portion (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3696128B1Control push-button panel with a built-in lighting member for maintaining an elevator
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 GIOVENZANA INT BV
  • EP3696128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3696128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3696128B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Control push-button panel (1) suitable for being used in maintenance operations in an elevator, said control push-button panel (1) comprising a body (2) featuring a prismatic shape and including a plurality of control members (5-10) on a face (12) thereof to control the elevator functions. At least one member (31) is associated with said body (2), said member being suitable for generating light about the control push-button panel (2), said body (2) being overmolded on such member (31).