Elevator Sill Light Module for Gap Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern elevator installations face challenges in safely warning users of the gap between the elevator car and the floor due to restricted space and soiling issues with existing light-based solutions, which can lead to safety risks.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a light module into the sill-section of the elevator car or hoistway door, positioned in a groove that is cleaned by the door movement, ensuring the warning light is visible and not impaired by soiling, without requiring additional space or mechanical elements, and allowing for selective control and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a light source is installed on the car door through a plastic cap slit, then the warning function is visible to passengers, but the light module becomes soiled by passenger contact and the warning function is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The light module is extracted from the door assembly and integrated into the sill-section instead, removing it from the contact zone where passengers tread on the door. This separates the warning function from the soiling-prone area while maintaining its visibility function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sill-section acts as an intermediary structure that carries the light module away from the door assembly. By placing the light source in the sill-section rather than on the door, the warning function is maintained while eliminating direct exposure to passenger contact and soiling.
2Reliability
If additional warning elements are added to the elevator system, then the warning function is improved, but the restricted gap space of 1 cm makes installation impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The sill-section is given multiple functions: it serves as both the structural guide for door movement and as the mounting location for the light module. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated space for the warning function within the restricted gap area.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning function is merged with the existing sill-section structure rather than being added as a separate component. The light module is integrated into the sill-section, combining the structural support function with the warning signal function within the same spatial envelope.
3Volume of moving object
If the sill-section is narrowly constructed to fit the limited gap space, then the space constraint is satisfied, but the structural integrity for mounting additional elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sill-section is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: guiding door movement, providing structural support, and mounting the light module. This multi-functional design allows the narrow sill-section to maintain adequate structural integrity while accommodating the warning function.
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 effectively warns users of the gap or step between the elevator car and the floor, maintaining the structural integrity and rigidity of the sill-section while ensuring the warning function remains operational, even in tight spaces and amidst potential soiling, thereby enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light module is arranged in a position in which the warning is readily visible
Implementation Method 2
the light module in the sill-section is subjected to a cleaning effect by the constant movement of the door, so that soiling of the light module is constantly removed
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator installation contains an elevator car (12) that is arranged movably between floors (S1, S2) in an elevator hoistway (11). The elevator car (12) has a car door (14), and the elevator hoistway (11) has on the each floor (S1, S2) a hoistway door (13). Assigned to the car door (14), or to the hoistway door (13), is a sill-section (16). To draw attention to a gap (30), or give a warning of a step, between elevator car (12) and floor (S1, S2), it is proposed to arrange in the sill-section (16) of the elevator car (12), or of the floor (S1, S2), at least one light module (20, 21, 22).