DE102017109060A1 - An elevator apparatus comprising an elevator car having a system for suppressing noise in an elevator car - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator apparatus comprising an elevator car and a system for suppressing noise in an elevator car (1), comprising a microphone system (M) for detecting noises, a processing unit (V) for processing the noises and calculating an active noise suppression, at least one acoustic generator (B1-B16) for generating the active noise suppression, the system having at least one detection device (K) for detecting the position of the head of at least one passenger (P1, P2, P3), wherein the processing unit (V) is established in order to calculate noises at the detected position of the head of the at least one passenger (P1, P2, P3) from the noises detected by the microphone system (M) and to control the at least one acoustic generator (B1-B16) such that an active noise Suppression is provided at the detected position of the at least one head.

Description

The present invention relates to an elevator apparatus with an elevator car and to a system for suppressing noise in an elevator car according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a corresponding method for noise suppression in an elevator car.

Elevator devices are commonly used to transport passengers to various floors within a building. Sounds such as engine noises, rattling noises and wind noises based on vibrations or starting from system components, which can affect the ride comfort, occur in the elevator cars.

From the WO 2010/033103 For example, a system for suppressing noise in an elevator car is known. This system comprises a microphone system for detecting noises, a processing unit for processing the noises and calculating an active noise suppression, and an acoustic generator for generating the active noise suppression.

The disadvantage here is that the noise suppression has different effects depending on the position within the elevator car. Depending on the static orientation of the system, the noise suppression in a defined range may be maximum while decreasing depending on the distance of this range.

As a rule, the head of a passenger is not exactly in the defined noise suppression area of the elevator car. If, for example, two or more passengers are in an elevator car, they will generally be positioned with the greatest possible distance from one another on the walls of the car, ie in the edge region. In the case of a larger number of persons, only a part can also remain in the defined noise suppression area of the cabin. Finally, the body size of the passengers also varies, and they may additionally move within the cabin while driving. Thus, in spite of the presence of such noise suppression, there may still be a significant impairment of ride comfort due to noise.

The invention seeks to alleviate these problems and to increase ride comfort in an elevator car.

This object is achieved by an elevator device with an elevator car and a system for suppressing noise with the features of independent claim 1.

The system according to the invention comprises a microphone system for detecting noises, a processing unit for processing the noises and calculating an active noise suppression and at least one acoustic generator for generating the active noise suppression.

The system according to the invention further comprises a detection device for detecting the position of the head of at least one passenger, wherein the processing unit is configured to calculate noises at the detected position of the head of the at least one passenger from the sounds detected by the microphone system, and the at least one acoustic transmitter such that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the at least one head. The fact that the position of the head of a passenger is determined within the elevator car, the noise suppression, for example, can be selectively controlled so that it is effective at the location of the head within the elevator car.

Expediently, the detection device is set up in such a way that it detects a spatial position and / or orientation of heads in an interior space of the elevator car.

In an advantageous embodiment, the detection device has at least one camera. With such cameras, the position of a passenger's head can be detected in a simple manner. It is also conceivable that the detection device has a plurality of cameras, preferably two to four cameras. As a result, a three-dimensional detection of several heads is possible in a particularly simple manner at the same time. Advantageously, the microphone system has between one and twenty microphones, preferably three to eight, for example four. Any other suitable number is possible. It is conceivable that the microphones are fixed to the ceiling of the elevator car, preferably at least in each corner or corner edge. In this way, the processing unit may advantageously particularly easily calculate the noise at the position of the head of the at least one passenger from the microphone data. Advantageously, microphones may also be located halfway up or at a typical head height of e.g. 1.60-1.80 m, e.g. 1.70 m are located on a wall area or a corner area of the elevator car. Furthermore, it is conceivable that microphones are located on a wall area in the lower area of the elevator car or in the floor area. Preferably, the microphones are distributed at regular intervals around the elevator car.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one acoustic generator is pivotably supported, for example on a joint mount, with which the alignment of the acoustic transmitter is adjustable. In this way, the acoustic generator can advantageously be controlled and pivoted by the processing unit such that an active noise suppression is provided at a detected position of the at least one head. Preferably can be reacted in this way also on changes in position of the head of the at least one passenger by corresponding pivoting of the at least one acoustic transmitter.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one camera is a 3D camera, in particular a TOF camera. A Time Off Flight (TOF) camera measures the amount of time the light from the camera takes to the measured object and back again, and uses this to calculate the distance to the object. This is advantageous because in this way the position of a head in a three-dimensional space can be detected particularly easily and accurately. In particular, positions of the heads of several passengers with a recording can also be detected with a TOF camera. However, it is also conceivable that the system has multiple cameras.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the system has a plurality of acoustic emitters, preferably two to thirty, more preferably ten to twenty, in particular sixteen. However, any other suitable number is conceivable. This is advantageous because in this way, depending on the position of the head of the at least one passenger, one or more acoustic sensors can be selected which are or are closest to the position of the head. The selected acoustic transmitter (s) may then be controlled so as to provide active noise cancellation at the position of the at least one head. If there are several passengers in the elevator car, e.g. for each passenger at least one acoustic transmitter are assigned and then controlled such that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the respective head of the passenger. For this purpose, the at least one acoustic transmitter can be controlled in its orientation when it is pivotally supported, so that it can be directed to the position of the respective head of the passenger. In this case, a membrane of the at least one acoustic generator can be controlled such that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the respective head of the passenger. When a passenger moves within the elevator car, different acoustic transmitters may be actuated sequentially or simultaneously, so that at least one acoustic transmitter is always driven in such a way that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the passenger's head. In this case, two or more acoustic transmitters with a suitable, in particular variable intensity ratio can be controlled, e.g. For example, in a first position of a head, a first acoustic transmitter with an intensity of 70-90% of the calculated counter-sound intensity can be controlled and a second with an intensity of 10-30% of the calculated counter-sound intensity. If e.g. detects a translational movement of a head, these intensities can be changed. Advantageously, the acoustic transmitters are arranged at regular intervals around the elevator car, preferably at an average head height of e.g. 1.60 -1.80 m horizontally next to each other. It is conceivable that four acoustic transmitters are located next to each other on each wall of the elevator car. However, any other suitable number, arrangement and combination of acoustic transmitters is conceivable.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one detection device is arranged to detect the position of heads of several passengers and the processing unit is configured to calculate the noise at the positions of the plurality of heads from the microphone data and to control at least one acoustic transmitter in such a way that an active noise Suppression at the position of a respective head is effective. This is advantageous because in this way e.g. For each passenger within the elevator car an optimized noise suppression can be provided.

Furthermore, the object is also achieved by an elevator apparatus having a system for suppressing noise as described above.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the elevator device has a cabin-side drive system, preferably a linear motor drive. In particular, the elevator car is advantageously made according to a lightweight construction concept. Particularly advantageous is the combination of the linear motor and the lightweight construction concept with the said system for suppressing noise, since elevator cabins with linear motors and lightweight design in particular tend to vibration and resulting noise, but also electromagnetically induced noise, sometimes referred to as "humming".

The object is further achieved by a method for suppressing noise in an elevator car. The method here comprises the steps: detecting a position of the head at least one passenger by means of a detection device; Detection of noise by means of a microphone system; Calculating the noises at the position of the at least one head on the basis of the detected noises by means of an evaluation unit; Calculating an active noise suppression for the position of the at least one head by means of the evaluation unit and driving at least one acoustic transmitter such that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the at least one head. The microphone system advantageously consists of a number of microphones, preferably four, for example. The microphones are usually fixed and can only detect the sound that reaches them. For this reason, it is advantageously calculated from the detected signals by means of a suitable algorithm which noises are to be expected at the position of the at least one head.

Characterized in that the position of the head of the at least one passenger is determined, an acoustic transmitter can be selectively controlled so that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the at least one head. As a result, the passenger experiences optimized noise suppression regardless of his position in the elevator car.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the position of the head of the at least one passenger is determined as a function of time, so that e.g. also a movement, e.g. a translational and / or rotational movement, the head is traceable. This is advantageous because it is possible in this way at any time to control the at least one acoustic generator such that an active noise suppression at the position of the at least one head is effective. In particular, in the case of a translational movement of the head, the acoustic transmitter is advantageously traced by appropriate pivoting, so that an active noise suppression is always provided at the current position of the at least one head.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the positions of heads of several passengers are detected by means of the detection device, calculated by the evaluation unit, the noise at the positions of the respective heads, each head each active noise suppression calculated at the respective position of the head and each head at least an acoustic transmitter is controlled such that an active noise suppression for the position of the respective head is provided. This is advantageous since in this way each passenger's head experiences optimized noise suppression.

In a further advantageous embodiment, according to the number of passengers and their location within the elevator car, individual acoustic transmitters are switched on or off. In this case, it is advantageous for each passenger at least one acoustic generator turned on, and although preferably the one that is closest to the head of each passenger. If one acoustic transmitter is closest to two passengers, this acoustic transmitter is preferably aimed at the next passenger's head and the second nearest acoustic transmitter is directed at the head of a second passenger. Advantageously, both by switching on and off the acoustic transmitter as well as by pivoting the acoustic transmitter can be achieved that every head of a passenger experiences the optimal noise suppression.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the method for the suppression of noise described above is used for the method.

• 1 zeigt eine Aufzugskabine gemäß dem Stand der Technik in einer schematischen Schnittansicht von oben, und
• 2 zeigt eine Aufzugskabine einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zum Unterdrücken von Geräuschen in einer schematischen Schnittansicht von oben.

Further advantageous features, objects and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying figures in combination with the following description of the figures.

• 1 shows a lift cage according to the prior art in a schematic sectional view from above, and
• 2 shows an elevator car of a preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention for suppressing noise in a schematic sectional view from above.

1 shows an elevator car 1' according to the prior art in a schematic sectional view from above, in which there are three passengers P1, P2 and P3. A microphone system M 'for detecting noises is located in a side wall 1a ' the elevator car 1 , A processing unit (not shown here) processes the sounds and calculates active noise cancellation. Four acoustic sensors A1, A2, A3 and A4 generate active noise cancellation. The noise suppression is calculated so that it is optimal in a central region Z of the elevator car (shown in dashed lines). The person P2 is located near the middle area and thus experiences an almost optimal noise suppression. The persons P1 and P3 are located in peripheral areas of the elevator car. For them, the noise suppression is not optimal.

2 shows an elevator car 1 with four side walls 1a . 1b . 1c and 1d according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a corresponding sectional view from above, in which there are three passengers P1, P2 and P3. One microphone system M has four microphones M1, M2, M3 and M4, which are located in the corners of the elevator car, for example, 1.70 m above the floor of the car. The microphones can also be provided, for example, on the cabin ceiling. Two TOF cameras K1 and K2 are located on adjoining side walls 1a and 1b the elevator car. The TOF cameras K1 and K2 detect the positions of the three heads of the three passengers P1, P2 and P3. A processing unit (shown schematically and labeled V) calculates from the microphone data of the four microphones M1, M2, M3 and M4 using corresponding models and / or algorithms actual noises at the positions of the heads of the three passengers P1, P2 and P3. In the present embodiment, there are sixteen acoustic emitters B1-B16 on the side walls 1a . 1b . 1c and 1d the elevator car, of which each four B1-B4, B5-B8, B9-B12 and B13-B16 on each side wall. The acoustic transmitters B1-B16 each have a joint mount with which the orientation or orientation of the acoustic transmitters B1-B16 can be adjusted. Such a hinge bracket G is purely schematic, shown for reasons of clarity only for the acoustic generator B3. The processing unit calculates a noise suppression for each detected position of the head of a passenger P1, P2 and P3. Acoustic transmitters B1 and B16 are controlled such that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the passenger's head P1. It is conceivable that the acoustic sensors are tracked, if they are for example held swivel. At least, however, its membrane is driven since it is the acoustic emitters B1 and B16 that are closest to the position of the passenger P1's head. Acoustic generator B6 is controlled such that active noise suppression is provided at the position of the passenger's head P2. Acoustic sensors B8 and B9 are controlled so that active noise suppression is provided at the position of the passenger's head P3. The remaining acoustic transmitters B2-B5, B7, B10-B15 are expediently switched off in this situation.

The processing unit V calculates sounds at the detected position of a head of at least one passenger from the sounds detected by the four microphones M1-M4 of the microphone system. In other words, an antivalent noise signal is calculated. It proves to be useful in the processing unit V, a so-called virtual microphone system M define. The virtual microphone system mathematically simulates a microphone at the detected position of the head. The processing unit calculates a virtual noise signal at the position of the virtual microphone system from the noise signals respectively received by the microscopes M1-M4. It proves to be mathematically possible in a particularly simple manner to control one or more acoustic transmitters in accordance with such a virtual noise signal to provide optimized noise suppression. Also movements of a person or the head of a person within the elevator car can be understood by appropriate adaptation of such a virtual microphone.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 '

car

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1a '

side walls

A1 - A4

acoustic transducer

A1 - A4

acoustic transducer

B1 - B16

acoustic transducer

K

camera

M, M '

microphone system

M1 - M4

Microphones

P1 - P3

passengers

G

joint holder

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2010/033103 [0003]

Claims (14)

Elevator apparatus comprising an elevator car and a system for suppressing noise in an elevator car (1), comprising - a microphone system (M) for detecting noises, - a processing unit (V) for processing the noises and calculating an active noise suppression, - at least an acoustic generator (B1-B16) for generating the active noise suppression, characterized in that the system comprises at least one detection device (K) for detecting the position of the head of at least one passenger (P1, P2, P3), wherein the processing unit (V ) is arranged to calculate noises at the detected position of the head of the at least one passenger (P1, P2, P3) from the sounds detected by the microphone system (M) and to drive the at least one acoustic generator (B1-B16) such that a active noise suppression is provided at the detected position of the at least one head. Elevator device with a system after Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one detection device (K) has at least one camera. Lifting device with a system according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the at least one camera (K) is a 3D camera, in particular a TOF camera. Elevator device with a system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one acoustic generator is pivotally supported. Elevator device with a system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system comprises a plurality of acoustic emitters (B1-B16), preferably 2 to 30, particularly preferably 10 to 20. Elevator device with a system after Claim 5 characterized in that the at least one detecting means (K) is arranged to detect the positions of the heads of a plurality of passengers (P1, P2, P3), and the processing unit (V) is adapted to make noises at the detected positions of the heads among those of the Microphone system to calculate detected noise and each at least one acoustic transmitter (B1-B16) each one of the heads and to control such that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the respective associated head. Elevator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection system is formed on the ceiling of the elevator car. Elevator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microphone system comprises between one and twenty microphones, which are preferably attached to the ceiling of the elevator car. Elevator device comprising a system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one acoustic generator is arranged at an average head height of between 1.60 m and 1.80 m on a wall of the elevator car. Elevator device according to Claim 7 , characterized in that it comprises a cab-side drive system, preferably a linear motor drive. A method of suppressing noise in an elevator car (1), comprising the steps of: Detecting the position of the head of at least one passenger (P1, P2, P3) by means of a detection device, - detection of noise by means of a microphone system, Calculating the noises at the position of the at least one head by means of an evaluation unit on the basis of the detected noises, Calculating an active noise suppression for the detected position of the at least one head by means of the evaluation unit, and - Controlling at least one acoustic generator (B1-B16) such that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the at least one head. Method according to Claim 9 , wherein the position of the head of the at least one passenger (P1, P2, P3) is determined as a function of time, so that a movement of the head is traceable. Method according to Claim 9 or 10 in which the position of heads of several passengers (P1, P2, P3) are detected by means of the at least one detection device (K), by means of the evaluation unit the noise at the positions of the heads are calculated, each head having an active noise suppression at the respective one detected position of the head is calculated and each head at least one acoustic generator (B1-B16) is controlled such that an active noise suppression is provided at the position of the respective head. Method according to one of Claims 11 - 13 in which an elevator apparatus having a system for suppressing noises according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 is used.

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