EP0818412B1 - 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 to a Elevator car door system with a light barrier device for detecting objects in the door opening on a walkway movable elevator door.

U.S. Patent No. 4,452,009 (European Patent Publication No. 0081 110) shows a photocell with light emitters sliding in grooves in the door sill of the elevator car door attached and for movement next to the leading edges of the Doors are coupled to the elevator car doors. To the Top edges of the cabin doors are light receivers for synchronous movement with the light generators attached. The Light sources generate vertical light rays to the Light receivers for detecting objects near the Door edge. The light receivers are with the door control connected to the automatic actuation of the cabin doors to control, which turns on detection of an object to open. An advantage of being limited to the door edge Detection is that the door control is not unnecessary is interrupted by objects that are far away from the Door edge are. A disadvantage, however, is that a such photocell no from the edges of the doors spaced objects such as a person in the Corridor, which is about to enter the elevator car, recognizes.

From US-A-4 914 859 a detector device having a plurality of one behind the other over the path of the door arranged first detectors for detecting objects present in the door opening and additional second detectors for detecting objects before and Known behind the walkway of the door. The first detectors work independent of the second detectors.

It is an object of the present invention, which relates to Loading an elevator car to reduce the time required by preventing that from the door edge away Objects interrupted the passage of the door.

It is a further object of the present invention To provide an elevator photocells device in their Construction is modular to the cost and Reduce installation time.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

These objects are achieved by the elevator car door system according to claim 1.

The close range detector pairs each contain one Short-range radiator for generating an infrared beam with a relatively short range in the direction of the path and Generating a near-field beam detection signal Detection of the Reflection of the Near Range Beam from the Surface of the door. The long range detector pairs are in each case next to an associated short-range detector pair positioned and contain a wide-area radiator for producing an infrared beam with a relatively wide Range over the track and a wide-range receiver for generating a long-range beam detection signal in Detecting the reflection of the long-range beam from a Object in the door opening area. The control means switches the Encoder for generating the rays, responds to each through the wide-area receiver while closing the Door generated wide-area detection signal Reopening the door, responding to each by the Short-range receiver while closing the door generated near detection signal by switching off the associated Weitbereichsgebers and responds to termination each of the short-range receivers during the Opening the door generated short-range detection signals by switching on the associated wide-range encoder. The control means generates a plurality of control signals, each turn on and off an associated encoder and generated cyclically in a predetermined sequence. Each detector pair contains at least one aperture for Shaping and straightening the rays and / or at least one Lens for shaping and directing the rays. For fixing the detector pair is adjacent to an upper edge of the door opening a housing provided. The housing contains one on one Rear wall mounted upper wall, a couple on opposite ends of the upper wall and the rear wall attached end caps and one releasable on the end caps, the upper wall and the rear wall attached and the Detector pairs in the housing enclosing transparent Cover.

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 be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1
1 is a block diagram of an object-recognizing elevator light barrier device according to the invention;

Fig. 2
1 is a block diagram of the light barrier device shown in FIG. 1 upon detection of the moving elevator car door;

Fig. 3
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of an elevator car with the light barrier device shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 4
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 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 car door system with a Light barrier device 10 for detecting objects in the Door opening area of an elevator car door. The Photocell device 10 includes Photocell control means 11, wherein an input with an output of a power supply 12 is connected. The Controller 11 also has an input / output to the Generation of control signals for switching on and off a Plurality of infrared transmitters and for receiving Detection signals from a plurality of Infrared receivers connected to a signal bus 13. For example, a first proximity detector 14 has a connected to the bus 13 input and an associated first short-range receiver 15 one to the bus 13th connected output. The encoder 14 and the receiver 15 form a close-range infrared detector pair that is adjacent to a Running path 16 of an elevator car door 17 with a front edge 17a is positioned. The detector pair 14 and 15 is positioned opposite an inner surface 17b of the door 17. In response to a control means 11 on the bus 13th generated control signal generates the proximity detector 14th an infrared ray 18, which is a relatively short one Beam range, which is at least until Inner surface 17b of the door 17 extends.

In addition to the close range detector pair 14 and 15 and along the Run 16 spaced is a first Wide-range encoder 19, on which an input to the bus 13th connected, and a first wide-area receiver 20, on an output to the bus 13 is connected. As reaction to a generated by the control means 11 on the bus 13 Control signal, the first wide-area encoder 19 generates a Infrared beam 21 with a relatively wide beam range, which extends beyond the track 16 addition. If the Beam 21 on an object 22 in the vicinity of the path 16 incident, a reflected beam 23 for Wide-area receiver 20 generated. The wide-range receiver 20 reacts to the reflected beam 23 with the Generation of a long-range beam detection signal on the Bus 13 to control 11. On the controller 11 is a Output connected to an input of a door control 24, which is mechanically coupled to the door 17 to the door to move along the path 16 back and forth. The control 11 responds to the signal generated by the receiver 20 Detection signal with the generation of a Reopening signal to the door controller 24 to the run the door 17 to stop and if necessary reverse to avoid that the door leading edge 17a on the object 22nd If the object hits the path 16 inside move.

At a second proximity detector 25 is an input with connected to the bus 13, and at an associated second Short-range receiver 26 is an output with the bus 13 connected. The second proximity encoder 25 generates a Short-range infrared ray 27 corresponding to the infrared ray 18 like. The encoder 25 and the receiver 26 are a second one along the path 16 on the opposite side of the first wide-area detector pairs 19 and 20 from the first Short range detector pair 14 and 15 positioned Near detector pair. At a second wide-range transmitter 28, an input is connected to the bus 13, and at one associated wide-area receiver 29 an output is connected to the bus 13. The second Wide-range encoder 28 generates a Wide-range infrared ray 30, which is equal to the beam 21. The encoder 28 and the receiver 29 are a second along the path 16 on the opposite side of the second Close range detector pairs 25 and 26 from the first one Wide range detector pair 19 and 20 positioned Far detector pair.

After the presentation change along the path 16 the proximity transmitter / receiver detector pairs with the Wide range transmitter / receiver detector pairs. Although only two close range detector pairs and two Wide range detector pairs may be additional Detector pairs are provided, and the total number of Detector pairs depend on the desired spacing and the length of the route 16 from.

The light barrier device 10 is shown in FIG shown, with the door 17 so along the path 16 has moved that the near infrared ray 18 on the Front surface 17b impinges and a second reflected Beam 31 generated. The first Nahbereichsemfänger 15 detects the reflected beam 31 and generates Short range beam detection signal on bus 13 to Control means 11. The controller 11 responds to the Detection signal from the receiver 15 with the termination of Control signal for turning off the first wide-range encoder 19, whereby the first shown in Figure 1 Wide-range infrared ray 21 is deleted. Of the Wide-range receiver 20 thus receives no reflected Beam when the door 17 so before the first Wide range encoder 19 moves that the controller 11 and the Door control 24 does not stop and reverse the run cause the door 17, as it would happen otherwise, because a Object (the door) was detected. Recognizes in a similar way the second short-range receiver 26 has a (not shown, but the beam 31 same) reflected beam, the by reflection of the Short-range infrared ray 27 from the front surface 17b of the Door 17 is generated to cause the controller 11 the control signal and thus the second wide-area encoder 28th turns off before the door takes a position next to this dealer reached. Accordingly, by the Light barrier device 10, the sequential shutdown the wide range transmitter / receiver detector pairs will cause, if the door 17 closes to the detection of objects in the part of the door opening leading from the closing door 17 is not yet covered, to allow. In a similar way With the door opening, each proximity / transmitter detector pair switches the adjacent newly exposed Wide range encoder / receiver pair. As an alternative can the control means 11 to the Short-range beam detection signals respond by removing all associated long-range beam detection signals ignored, instead of switching off the wide-area emitters. So will in response to a near-field beam detection signal by the control means 11, the associated Long range detector pair locked by either the Control signal off or the associated Wide range beam detection signal ignored. As reaction upon completion of the short range beam detect signal the control means 11 activates the associated one Wide area detector pair by either the Control signal turns on or on the associated Wide range beam detection signal responds.

When the track 16 of the door 17 in a substantially horizontal direction, generate the near and Wide-range infrared emitters each their rays in one generally vertically extending plane in the right Angle to the plane of the door. When the path 16 in a is generally vertical direction, then generate the Near and wide range emitters each their infrared rays in a generally horizontally extending plane in the right angle to the plane of the door 17.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of FIG Elevator car with a light barrier device 10 after the present invention, wherein the cabin on a Floor 32 of a building is stopped. The floor 32 includes a formed in a corridor wall 34 Elevator entrance opening 33. An elevator landing door 35 is in open position and can be along a Move the travel path 36 to a closed position. At a Elevator car 37 is a car door opening 38 for the associated cabin door 17 in a front wall 39 of the cabin educated. The car door 17 is in the open position and can be moved along the path 16 to to close the opening 38.

The first close range detector pair includes the encoder 14 and the receiver 15, the first wide-area detector pair includes the transmitter 19 and the receiver 21, the second Short-range detector pair includes the encoder 25 and the Receiver 26, the second wide-range detector pair contains the encoder 28 and the receiver 29, a third Close range detector pair includes a third Short-range transmitter 40 and a third short-range receiver 41, and a third wide-area detector pair includes one third wide-area encoder 43 and a third Wide-range receiver 44. The detector pairs are in the Opening 38 next to the path 16 and opposite the Interior surface 17 b of the car door 17 attached.

The encoder 14 generates the infrared beam 18, which is about the passageway 16 away and also over the Laufweg 36 away extends to both the car door 17 and the hall door 35 to capture. The first wide-range encoder 19 generates the Infrared beam 21 over the paths 16 and 36 away and through the opening 33 to the doors 17 and 35 from Detecting building flats from approaching objects and people. Similarly, the second proximity encoder 25 generates the beam 27 and the second Wide-range encoder 28 the beam 30. The third Short-range sensor 40 is connected to the third Short range receiver 41 is connected and generates one Short-range infrared ray 42. The third wide-range transmitter 43 is connected to the third wide-area receiver 44 and generates a wide-range infrared ray 45. The three Close-range detector pairs and the three Wide range detector pairs are for illustrative purposes only, and additional detector pairs may vary depending on the desired spacing between adjacent [lacuna] and the length of the paths 16 and 36 are provided to ensure that objects from at least one Minimum size across the widths of the openings 33 and 38 can be recognized.

As shown in Figure 4 is a Detector assembly 46 on a downward Surface of the front wall 39 is fixed in the opening 38. Of the Short-range infrared ray 18 extends from the Assembly 46 via an upper part of the car door 17 and the Flurtür 35. Thus, the beam 18 includes a relatively small Area and is not affected by people and objects reflects that pass from the hallway 32 in the cabin 37, since they generally pass under the near-field beam happen. On the other hand, the long-range beam 21 an extended area and extends into the Corridor beyond the wall 34 and next to the lower edges of the Doors 17 and 35. Thus, the beam 21 is from each person or any object that reflects from the hallway to the cabin 37 arrive.

The detection assembly 46 is more detailed in FIG. 5 shown. The detection assembly 46 includes a housing 47, which is generally in cross-section L-shaped, with a generally horizontally extending upper wall 47a and a generally vertically extending rear wall 47b, which are joined together at a respective longitudinal edge. At opposite ends of the Housing 47, a pair of end caps 48 is attached, the each having a curved edge 48a. The housing 47 is through a transparent front cover 49th closed, the curvature of the curved edges 48a of the End caps 48 corresponds and which is attached to them. One Short range detector pair transmitter / receiver module 50 includes the first proximity detector 14 and the first Short-range receiver 15. The module 50 is constructed so that Side wall panels 51 and / or a curved lens 52 the Infrared beam 18 passing through the transparent cover 49 is sent in the desired manner. One Wide range detector pair transmitter / receiver module 53 contains the first wide-range encoder 19 and the first Wide-range receiver 20. The module 53 is constructed in such a way that that side wall panels 54 and / or a curved lens 55th the infrared ray 21 passing through the transparent Cover 49 is sent in the desired manner to shape. Similar modules (not shown) are for each provided detector pair provided.

The proximity of the infrared transmitter and receiver to each other could Cause "crosstalk", whereby that of a giver generated beam not only from its associated receiver, but also from a receiver of an adjacent one Detector pair is received. To "crosstalk" too Prevent, let the rays on in temporal Sequence controlled way in and out. As an example FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of FIG Control means 11 for the encoder shown in Figure 3 and Rays generated control signals. Of the Short-range sensor 14 is controlled by a control signal 18a from the Control 11 is turned on to the beam 18 for a first Time to generate, and then turned off. When Next, the wide-area encoder 19 by a Control signal 21a is turned on to the beam 21 to generate, which is then turned off. As a result, the Close range encoder 25 by a control signal 27a on and turned off to generate the beam 27. After that will the wide-area encoder 28 switched on and off by a control signal 30a to the Beam 30 to produce, the proximity detector 14 is through a control signal 42a turned on and off to the beam 42 to generate, and the wide-area encoder 43 is a through Control signal 45a turned on and off to the beam 45th to produce in sequence. After elimination of the beam 45 the control means 11 repeats the cycle of Control signals. So the control signals are in order generated in cycles, making only one encoder at any one time is turned on and the control means 11 all Detection signals from receivers other than the one with the disregarded on-hook transmitters can let.

Another problem with infrared receivers is wrong Detections due to infrared rays Ambient light. These problems can be solved by coding the Control signals are avoided. After the presentation in FIG. 6, for example, is a control signal 18b of three Impulses formed within a "switched on" Time to be arranged. Thus, the encoder 14 generates the beam 18 as three infrared light pulses, and the controller 11 must a clocked detection signal from the receiver 15 with the same frequency received to a valid Recognize detection signal. The control signals 21b, 27b, 30b, 42b and 45b may be encoded in a similar manner. The control signal coding may be of any known form of frequency or pulse width modulation, and each Control signal can be coded differently. By Different coding could be the problem of Crosstalk can be eliminated.

Also, the spacing between the detector pairs 50 and the spacing between the detector pairs 53 such be that it is not necessary, as shown only in each case a detector pair with the control signals 18a, 21a, 27a, 30a, 42a and 45a turn on. For example, it may be possible be all the close range detector pairs 50 at the same Time, as by the control signals 18b, 27b and 42b shown, turn on and all Wide range detector pairs 53 at another time, as shown by the control signals 21b, 30b and 45b, turn. Depending on the required spacing between active donors other combinations are possible.

The sequence of the detector assembly 46 can from left to be controlled to the right or from right to left, depending on the operating direction of the door 17. If the Elevator car doors and landing doors of which are in the middle opening type, the detection assembly 46 may be so be operated, that their course from the middle to both End caps 48 is controlled. Through the modular Construction of the detector assembly 46, the housing 47 formed as a continuous casting and cut in length, to accommodate the width of the opening 38. The Detector assembly 46 may be attached to existing elevator cars be installed, with the mechanical edge detectors for reserve purposes.

In summary, the present invention is a Elevator car door system with a light barrier device 10 for detecting objects in the door opening area of a Elevator car door with a first plurality of Close range detector pairs 50 suitable for mounting in spaced relationship along the path 16 of the Elevator door 17 are suitable across the door opening 38 away, a second plurality of the wide-area detector pairs 53, for attachment along the path of the elevator door are suitable, and wherein the control means 11 with each of the Close range detector pairs 50 and each of the Wide range detector pairs 53 is connected. each Short range detector pair 50 includes one of Short-range radiators 14, 25 and 40 for generating the Infrared rays 18, 27 and 42 with relatively short range in the direction of the path 16 and one of the Short-range receiver 15, 26 and 41 for detecting the Reflection 31 of the near beam from the front surface 17b of the door 17 and generation of the Short-range beam detection signal. Each of the Wide range detector pair 53 is adjacent to an associated one Short range detector pair 50 positions and includes one the wide-area radiators 19, 28 and 43 for generating the Infrared rays 21, 30 and 45 with a relatively wide range over the Laufweg 16 and one of the Wide range receiver 20, 29 and 44 for detecting the 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 control the beams 18, 21, 27, 30, 42 and 45; and responds to each one from the short-range receivers 15, 26 and 41 during the Closing the door 17 generated Nahbereichskennungssignal with the switching off of the associated wide-range transmitter 19, 25 and 40, and it responds to stopping every one of them Short-range detection signals while opening the door by switching on the associated wide-range transmitter.

From the control means 11, the plurality of control signals 18a, 21a, 27a, 30a, 42a and 45a, each one turn on associated donors 14, 19, 25, 28, 40 and 43 and be generated cyclically in a predetermined sequence. Each of the Detector pairs 50 and 53 include at least one aperture 51 and 54 for shaping and directing the beams 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 Attach the detector pairs 50 and 53 adjacent to one Upper edge of the door opening 38 is provided. The housing 47 includes the upper wall 47a attached to the rear wall 47b, the pair at opposite ends of the upper wall 47a and the rear wall 47 b attached end caps 48 and the releasable at the end caps 48, the upper wall 47a and the Rear wall 47b mounted transparent cover 49, the the detector pairs 50 and 53 in the housing 47 includes.

Claims (4)

1. Elevator car door system with a light barrier apparatus for the detection of objects in the door opening of an elevator door movable on a travel path, characterised in that a plurality of short range detector pairs, which are connected with control means (11) and which each consist of a respective short range transmitter (14, 25, 40) and a respective short range receiver (15, 26, 41) for detection of the door setting of the elevator door (17, 35), is provided along the travel path (16, 36) and that a plurality of long range detector pairs, which are connected with the control means (11) and which each consist of a respective long range transmitter (19) and a respective long range receiver (20) for detection of the objects in the door opening region, is provided along the travel path (16, 36), wherein the long range detector pair is arranged after the short range detector pair as seen in closing direction of the elevator door (17, 35), that the control means (11) react to every short range recognition signal, which is produced by the short range receivers (15, 26, 41) during the closing of the door (17, 35), by blocking the associated long range transmitter (19, 28, 43) and that the control means (11) reacts to the ending of each of the short range recognition signals during the opening of the doors by unblocking the associated long range transmitter (19, 28, 43).
2. Elevator car door system according to claim 1, characterised in that for avoidance of external influencing of the detector pairs the control means (11) are acted on by means of pulse signals displaced in time.
3. Elevator car door system according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the detector pairs are arranged at a downwardly directed surface of a front wall (39) in an opening.
4. Elevator car door system according to claim 3, characterised in that side wall light stops (51, 54) and/or curved lenses (52, 55) are provided for shaping the beams of the detector pair.

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