EP0818412A1 - Light barrier for reopening elevator doors - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting an object adjacent an elevator door includes a housing (47) mounted at an upper edge of a car door opening (38) and in which are mounted a plurality of short range detector pairs (50) and a plurality of long range detector pairs (53). Each short range detector pair includes a transmitter (14,25,40) for generating a relatively short range infrared beam (18,27,42) toward a path of travel (16) of an elevator door (17) across the door opening and a short range receiver (15,26,41) for detecting a reflection (31) of the beam from a facing surface (17b) of the door and generating a short range beam detection signal. Each long range detector pair is positioned adjacent an associated one of the short range detector pairs and includes a transmitter (19,28,43) for generating a relatively long range infrared beam (21,30,45) across the path of travel and a receiver (20,29,44) for detecting a reflection (23) of the beam from an object (22) near the door opening and generating a long range beam detection signal. A control (11) is connected to each detector pair for turning on the transmitters and for reopening the closing door in response to the long range beam detection signal. The control responds to each short range detection signal during closing of the door to disable the associated long range transmitter and responds to termination of the short range detection signal during opening of the door to enable the associated long range transmitter to prevent detection of the moving door by the long range receivers from reopening the door.

Description

STATE OF THE ART

The present invention relates generally to one Device for detecting objects next to open ones Elevator doors and in particular a light barrier for automatic control of elevator car doors as Reaction to detected objects.

U.S. Patent No. 4,452,009 (European Patent 0081 110) shows a light barrier with light transmitters that sliding in grooves in the doorstep of the Elevator car door attached and to move next to the Front edges of the doors to the elevator car doors are coupled. On the top edges of the cabin doors are Light receiver for synchronous movement with the Light sensors attached. Generate the light transmitters perpendicular light rays to the light receivers to Detect objects near the edge of the door. The Light receivers are connected to the door control to control the automatic actuation of the cabin doors, that open again when an object is recognized. A The advantage of a detection limited to the edge of the door is that the door control is not unnecessarily Objects that are distant from the Door edge are. A disadvantage, however, is that such a light barrier none of the edges of the doors spaced objects such as a person in the Hallway that is about to enter the elevator car recognizes.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for Detecting objects next to an elevator door with a first plurality of short-range detector pairs, which in spaced ratio along a path of a Elevator door are attached over a door opening, a second plurality of wide-range detector pairs, installed along the path of the elevator door and one with the near and far range detector pairs associated control means. The short-range detector pairs each contain a short-range beam transmitter for Generate an infrared beam with a relatively short range towards the walkway and creating one Short-range beam detection signal upon detection of the Reflection of the close - range beam from the surface of the Door. The wide-range detector pairs are next to each other an associated short-range detector pair positioned and contain a wide-range emitter for generation an infrared beam with a relatively wide range over the Path and a long-range receiver to generate a wide-range beam detection signal upon detection the reflection of the long-range beam from an object in near the door opening. The control means switches the Encoder for generating the rays responds to each by the wide range receiver during closing wide-range detection signal generated by the door Reopen the door, responding to everyone through the Close-range receiver while closing the door generated short-range detection signal by switching off the associated wide-range encoder and reacts to Termination of each of the short-range receivers generated during the opening of the door Short-range detection signals by switching on the associated wide-range encoder.

The control means generates a plurality of Control signals, each one associated encoder turn off and cyclically in a predetermined sequence be generated. Each pair of detectors contains at least one an aperture for shaping and directing the rays and / or at least one lens for shaping and straightening the Rays. To attach the detector pairs next to one A housing is provided on the upper edge of the door opening. The Housing contains an upper attached to a rear wall Wall, a pair at opposite ends of the top wall and the rear wall attached end caps and one triggerable on the end caps, the top wall and the Rear wall attached and the detector pairs in the housing enclosing transparent cover.

It is an object of the present invention to To reduce the time required to load an elevator car, by preventing it from being removed from the edge of the door Objects interrupt the course of the door.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an elevator light barrier, which in its Construction is modular to the cost and Reduce installation time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

ein Blockschaltschema einer erfindungsgemäßen ein Objekt erkennenden Fahrstuhllichtschrankenvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

ein Blockschaltschema der in Figur 1 gezeigten Lichtschrankenvorrichtung bei Erkennung der sich bewegenden Aufzugskabinentür;

Fig. 3

eine Bruchdarstellung einer Draufsicht einer Aufzugskabine mit der in Figur 1 gezeigten Lichtschrankenvorrichtung;

Fig. 4

eine Bruchdarstellung einer Querschnittsansicht entlang der Linie 4-4 in Figur 3;

Fig. 5

eine auseinandergezogene perspektivische Ansicht der in Figur 4 gezeigten Lichtschrankenvorrichtung; und

Fig. 6

ein Wellenformdiagramm von in der in Figur 1 gezeigten Lichtschrankenvorrichtung erzeugten Signalen.

The above as well as other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1

a block circuit diagram of an object-recognizing elevator light barrier device;

Fig. 2

a block circuit diagram of the light barrier device shown in Figure 1 upon detection of the moving elevator car door;

Fig. 3

a broken view of a plan view of an elevator car with the light barrier device shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4

a fragmentary view of a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 3;

Fig. 5

an exploded perspective view of the light barrier device shown in Figure 4; and

Fig. 6

a waveform diagram of signals generated in the light barrier device shown in Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows an elevator door control system with a Light barrier device 10 for the detection of objects in the door opening of an elevator car. The system 10 contains a light barrier control means 11 in which a Input with an output of a power supply 12 connected is. The controller 11 also has one Input / output on which is used to generate control signals for switching a plurality of Infrared sensors and for receiving detection signals of a plurality of infrared receivers with one Signal bus 13 is connected. For example, a first short-range transmitter 14 one with the bus 13 connected input and an associated first Short-range receiver 15 one connected to the bus 13 Exit on. The encoder 14 and the receiver 15 form one Close-range infrared detector pair, which next to a walkway 16 of an elevator car door 17 with a front edge 17a is positioned. The pair of detectors 14 and 15 is positioned opposite an inner surface 17b of the door 17. In response to one of the control means 11 on the bus 13 The short-range transmitter 14 generates the generated control signal an infrared beam 18 which is a relatively short one Has beam area that extends at least up to Inner surface 17b of the door 17 extends.

Next to the short range detector pair 14 and 15 and along there is a first one at a distance from the path 16 Wide-range transmitter 19, at which an input with the bus 13 is connected, and a first wide-range receiver 20, at which an output is connected to bus 13. As Response to a by control means 11 on bus 13 The first wide-range transmitter generates the control signal generated 19 an infrared beam 21 with a relatively wide Beam area that extends beyond the path 16 extends. When the beam 21 hits an object 22 in the Strikes near the path 16, a reflected Beam 23 to the wide-range receiver 20 generated. Of the Long-range receiver 20 responds to the reflected one Beam 23 with the generation of a Wide-range beam detection signal on the bus 13 to Control 11. An output is connected to control 11 connected to an input of a door controller 24 which is mechanically coupled to the door 17 to the door to move back and forth along the path 16. The Controller 11 responds to that generated by receiver 20 Detection signal with the generation of a Reopening signal to the door controller 24 to run stop the door 17 and, if necessary, reverse to to avoid that the front edge 17a of the object 22 hits, the object should be in the walkway 16 move in.

An input is connected to a second short-range sensor 25 connected to the bus 13, and an associated second Short-range receiver 26 is an output with bus 13 connected. The second short-range transmitter 25 generates one Short-range infrared beam 27, which is the infrared beam 18 equal. The transmitter 25 and the receiver 26 are one the second along path 16 on the opposite First wide-range detector pair 19 and 20 from first near-range detector pair 14 and 15 positioned Short range detector pair. On a second Wide-range encoder 28 is an input with bus 13 connected, and to an associated wide-range receiver 29 an output is connected to bus 13. The second Wide-range transmitter 28 generates one Wide-range infrared beam 30, which is similar to beam 21. The transmitter 28 and the receiver 29 are a second along path 16 on the opposite side of the second short-range detector pair 25 and 26 from the first Pair of wide-range detectors 19 and 20 positioned Pair of wide-range detectors.

According to the illustration, alternate along the route 16 the short-range transmitter / receiver detector pairs with the Long range transmitter / receiver detector pairs. Although only two close-range detector pairs and two Long range detector pairs can be shown additional pairs of detectors are provided, and the Total number of detector pairs depends on the one you want Spacing and the length of the path 16 from.

The light barrier device 10 is shown in FIG. 2 shown, the door 17 so along the path 16 has moved that the near-range infrared beam 18 on the front surface 17b hits and a second reflected beam 31 generated. The first Short-range receiver 15 recognizes the reflected beam 31 and generates a short-range beam detection signal the bus 13 to the control means 11. The control 11 reacts on the detection signal from the receiver 15 with the Termination of the control signal to turn off the first Wide-range encoder 19, whereby the one shown in Figure 1 first wide-range infrared beam 21 is deleted. Of the Long-range receiver 20 does not receive any reflected beam when the door 17 faces the front first wide-range transmitter 19 moves that the controller 11 and the door controller 24 does not stop and reverse of the run of the door 17, as is otherwise the case would because an object (the door) was recognized. On The second short-range receiver 26 recognizes in a similar manner one (not shown but similar to beam 31) reflected beam caused by reflection of the Short-range infrared ray 27 from the front surface 17b the door 17 is generated to cause the Control 11 the control signal and thus the second Wide-range transmitter 28 switches off before the door opens Position next to this encoder reached. Accordingly is by the light barrier device 10 sequential shutdown of the wide-range transmitter / receiver detector pairs causes when the door 17 closes to the detection of objects in the part of the Door opening from the closing door 17 still is not covered. In a similar way switches each short-range transmitter / receiver detector pair when the door opens the neighboring one just exposed Wide-range transmitter / receiver pair. As an alternative you can the control means 11 on the Short-range beam detection signals respond by it all associated wide-range beam detection signals ignored instead of the wide-range emitter turn off. So in response to a Short-range beam detection signal by the control means 11 the associated wide-range detector pair blocked, by either turning off the control signal or the associated wide-range beam detection signal ignored. In response to termination of the Short range beam detection signal activates this Control means 11 the associated wide-range detector pair, by either turning on the control signal or up the associated wide-range beam detection signal responds.

If the walkway 16 of the door 17 is in a substantially horizontal direction, generate the near and Wide-range infrared transmitters each have their rays in one generally perpendicular plane on the right Angle to the level of the door. If the route 16 in a generally perpendicular direction, then generate the Short-range and long-range transmitters each have their infrared rays in a generally horizontally extending plane in right angle to the level of door 17.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top view of a Elevator car with a light barrier device 10 after of the present invention, wherein the cabin on a Floor 32 of a building is stopped. Floor 32 includes one formed in a hall wall 34 Elevator entry opening 33. An elevator corridor door 35 is in shown open position and can be along a Move path 36 to a closed position. At an elevator car 37 is a car door opening 38 for the associated cabin door 17 in a front wall 39 of the Cabin trained. The cabin door 17 is in the open Position shown and can be along path 16 move to close opening 38.

The first pair of short-range detectors contains the transmitter 14 and the receiver 15, the first long-range detector pair contains the transmitter 19 and the receiver 21, the second Short-range detector pair contains the encoder 25 and the Receiver 26 containing the second pair of wide-range detectors the transmitter 28 and the receiver 29, a third Short range detector pair contains a third Short-range sensor 40 and a third Short-range receiver 41, and a third A wide range detector pair contains a third Wide-range encoder 43 and a third Long-range receiver 44. The detector pairs are in the Opening 38 next to the walkway 16 and opposite the Inner surface 17b of the cabin door 17 attached.

The transmitter 14 generates the infrared beam 18, which is about walk 16 and also walk 36 extends to both the cabin door 17 and the Corridor door 35 to capture. The first wide-range encoder 19 generates the infrared beam 21 via the paths 16 and 36 away and through the opening 33 to the doors 17 and 35 objects and people approaching from the building corridor detect. Similarly, the second creates Short-range sensor 25 the beam 27 and the second Wide-range transmitter 28 the beam 30. The third Short-range sensor 40 is with the third Short-range receiver 41 connected and generates one Short-range infrared ray 42. The third Wide range encoder 43 is with the third Wideband receiver 44 connected and generates one Long-range infrared ray 45. The three Short-range detector pairs and the three Long range detector pairs are for explanatory purposes only, and additional pairs of detectors, depending on the desired spacing between neighboring [lacuna] and the length of the walkways 16 and 36 provided to ensure that objects of at least a minimum size across the widths of the openings 33 and 38 can be recognized.

According to the representation in Figure 4 is one Detection assembly 46 on a downward Surface of the front wall 39 fixed in the opening 38. Of the Short-range infrared beam 18 extends from the Assembly 46 via an upper part of the cabin door 17 and Hall door 35. Thus, the beam 18 comprises a relatively small one Area and is not by people and objects reflected that come from the hall 32 into the cabin 37, since they are generally under the close-range beam happen. On the other hand, the wide-range beam 21 an extensive area and extends into the Hallway beyond wall 34 and next to the lower edges of the Doors 17 and 35. So the beam 21 is from every person or any object reflected from the hallway to the cabin 37 arrive.

The detection assembly 46 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5 shown. The detection assembly 46 includes a Housing 47, which is generally L-shaped in cross section, with a generally horizontally extending top Wall 47a and a generally perpendicular Rear wall 47b on a respective longitudinal edge are put together. At opposite ends of the Housing 47 has a pair of end caps 48 attached to it each have a curved edge 48a. The housing 47 is through a transparent front cover 49 closed, the curvature of the curved edges 48a the end caps 48 corresponds and attached to them is. A short-range detector pair transmitter / receiver module 50 contains the first short-range sensor 14 and the first Short-range receiver 15. The module 50 is constructed in such a way that side wall panels 51 and / or a curved lens 52 the infrared beam 18 through the transparent Cover 49 is sent in the desired manner to form. A wide range detector pair transmitter / receiver module 53 contains the first wide-range transmitter 19 and the first wide-range receiver 20. The module 53 is constructed so that side panel 54 and / or one curved lens 55 the infrared beam 21, which through the see-through cover 49 is sent to the shape the desired way. Similar modules (not shown) are provided for each pair of detectors used.

The proximity of the infrared transmitter and receiver to each other could cause "crosstalk", being from one Encoder generated beam not only from its associated one Receiver, but also from a receiver of a neighboring detector pairs is received. Around To prevent "crosstalk", the rays in and out in a time-controlled manner clock out. An example is shown in FIG Waveform diagram of the control means 11 for the generated in Figure 3 donors and beams Control signals shown. The short-range sensor 14 is by a control signal 18a from the controller 11 turned on the beam 18 for a first period of time to generate, and then turns off. Next the wide-range transmitter 19 is controlled by a control signal 21a turned on to generate the beam 21 which then is turned off. As a result, the short-range sensor 25 by a control signal 27a on and off to the To generate beam 27. After that, the wide-range provider 28 on and off by a control signal 30a to generate the beam 30 that becomes the short-range sensor 14 by a control signal 42a on and off to the Generate beam 42, and the wide-range transmitter 43 is by a control signal 45a on and off to the Generate beam 45 in a row. After switching off the Beam 45, the control means 11 repeats the cycle of Control signals. So the control signals in Sequence generated in cycles, which means only one encoder is on at all times and the control means 11 all Detection signals from receivers other than the one with the disregarded connected receivers can leave.

Another problem with infrared receivers is incorrect Detections based on infrared rays Ambient light. These problems can be solved by coding the Control signals can be avoided. According to the representation in For example, FIG. 6 is a control signal 18b of three Pulses formed within an "on" Time can be arranged. So the encoder 14 generates the Beam 18 as three infrared light pulses, and the Controller 11 must a clocked detection signal from Receiver 15 received at the same frequency to a to recognize a valid detection signal. The control signals 21b, 27b, 30b, 42b and 45b can similarly be encoded. The control signal coding can be a any known form of frequency or Pulse width modulation, and any control signal can be coded differently. Through different coding the crosstalk problem could be eliminated.

The spacing between the detector pairs 50 can also be and the spacing between the detector pairs 53 be such that it is not necessary as shown only one pair of detectors each with the control signals 18a, 21a, 27a, 30a, 42a and 45a turn on. For example it may be possible to pair all of the short range detectors 50 at the same time as by the control signals 18b, 27b and 42b shown to turn on and all Wide-range detector pairs 53 at another time, as shown by control signals 21b, 30b and 45b, turn on. Depending on the required spacing there are other combinations between active encoders possible.

The sequence of the detector assembly 46 can be from left to right right or left to right, depending on the operating direction of the door 17. If the Elevator car doors and hall doors from which are in the Are the opening type, the detection assembly 46 be operated so that their sequence from the center both end caps 48 is controlled. Through the modular The detector assembly 46 can be constructed using the housing 47 formed as a continuous casting and cut in length to accommodate the width of the opening 38. The Detector assembly 46 can be installed on existing elevator cars be installed, the mechanical Edge detectors are retained for reserve purposes can.

In summary, the present invention is a Device for recognizing objects next to one Elevator door with a first plurality of Short-range detector pairs 50, which are for fastening in spaced ratio along the path 16 of the Elevator door 17 suitable over the door opening 38 are, a second plurality of Long-range detector pairs 53, which for attachment along the path of the elevator door are suitable, and wherein Control means 11 with each of the short-range detector pairs 50 and each of the wide range detector pairs 53 is connected. Each short range detector pair 50 includes one of the Short-range beam transmitter 14, 25 and 40 for generating the Infrared rays 18, 27 and 42 with a relatively short range towards the path 16 and one of the Short-range receiver 15, 26 and 41 to detect the Reflection 31 of the near-range beam from the front surface Short-range beam detection signal. Each of the Wide range detector pair 53 is next to an associated one Short range detector pair 50 positioned and contains one the wide-range emitter 19, 28 and 43 for generation of infrared rays 21, 30 and 45 with a relatively wide range Area over the walkway 16 and one of the Long-range receiver 20, 29 and 44 for the detection of Reflection 23 of the wide-range beam from the object 22 in the Near the door opening 38. The control means 11 switches the Encoders 14, 19, 25, 28, 40 and 43 to the beams 18, 21, 27, 30, 42 and 45; and responds to everyone from the short-range receivers 15, 26 and 41 during the Closing the door 17 generated Short range detection signal when the associated wide-range encoder 19, 25 and 40, and it responds to the termination of each of the Short-range detection signals while opening the door by switching on the associated wide-range transmitter.

The control means 11 sends the plurality of control signals 18a, 21a, 27a, 30a, 42a and 45a, respectively an associated encoder 14, 19, 25, 28, 40 and 43 switch on and generated cyclically in a predetermined sequence will. Each of the detector pairs 50 and 53 contains at least one aperture 51 and 54 for shaping and straightening rays 18, 21, 27, 30, 42 and 45 and / or at least one lens 52 and 55 for shaping and straightening the rays. The housing 47 is for attaching the Detector pairs 50 and 53 next to an upper edge of the Door opening 38 provided. The housing 47 includes the the rear wall 47b attached upper wall 47a to the pair opposite ends of the top wall 47a and the Rear wall 47b attached end caps 48 and the releasable on the end caps 48, the top wall 47a and the back wall 47b attached transparent cover 49, which the Includes detector pairs 50 and 53 in the housing 47.

According to the provisions of the patent laws, the present invention has been described as what According to the provisions of the patent laws, the present invention has been described as what their preferred embodiment is considered. It is however, it should be noted that the invention also in other than of the form expressly shown here can be without their basic idea or Deviate protection area.

Claims (5)

Light barrier for detecting objects in the door opening area of an elevator door movable on a walkway,
characterized, that along the route (16, 36) at least one short-range detector pair consisting of a short-range transmitter (14) and a short-range receiver (15) for detecting the door position of the elevator door (17, 35) and that at least one pair of wide-range detectors consisting of a wide-range transmitter (19) and a wide-range receiver (20) are provided along the route (16, 36) for detecting the objects in the door opening area, the pair of wide-range detectors after the pair of short-range detectors viewed in the closing direction of the elevator door (17, 35) is arranged. Light barrier according to claim 1,
characterized, that control means (11) are provided which, during the closing process, when the elevator door (17, 35) is detected by the close-range detector pair, switch off the wide-range detector pair and that the control means (11) switch on the wide-range detector pair during the opening process when the elevator door (17, 35) is detected by the short-range detector pair. Light barrier according to claim 2,
characterized, that the control means (11) controls the detector pairs by means of time-shifted clock signals in order to avoid external interference of the detector pairs. Light barrier according to the preceding claims,
characterized, that the detector pairs are arranged on a downward-facing surface of the elevator car door opening (39). Light barrier according to claim 4,
characterized, that sidewall diaphragms (51, 54) and / or curved lenses (52, 55) are provided for shaping the beams of the detector pairs.

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