EP3702307A1

EP3702307A1 - Destination call arrangement for elevator

Info

Publication number: EP3702307A1
Application number: EP19159758.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carlos Atsushi Kotsubo
Original assignee: Inventio AG
Current assignee: Inventio AG
Priority date: 2019-02-27
Filing date: 2019-02-27
Publication date: 2020-09-02

Abstract

The invention relates to a destination call arrangement (1) for an elevator (2) comprises a main part (3) and an auxiliary part (4). The main part (3) comprises multiple destination floor call buttons (3a, 3b, 3c) for selecting a destination floor, while the auxiliary part (4) consists of one or more destination switches (4a, 4b, 4c). The one or more destination switches (4a, 4b, 4c) of the auxiliary part (4) are configurable to function as the at least one destination floor call button (3a, 3b, 3c). The one or more destination switches (4a, 4b, 4c) are placed lower than at least one of the multiple destination floor call buttons (3a, 3b, 3c), when the destination call arrangement (1) is installed for the elevator (2).

Description

BACKGROUND

This present invention relates to a destination call arrangement for an elevator and an elevator with such a destination call arrangement.
An elevator may comprise an elevator car that is movable vertically in an elevator shaft (hoistway) and may stop at different floors of a building. It is known that an elevator has a destination floor registering apparatus, also referred to as a destination call arrangement, which is used to control an elevator car to travel to a desired floor. A conventional destination call arrangement is manufactured as an operation panel. Typically, such operation panels are provided in an elevator car as a COP (car operation panel) via which passengers may input a destination floor to which the elevator car then will travel. Sometimes, the operation panel may also be set outside of the elevator car in a hall or lobby. In this case it is called LOP (lobby operation panel). For both kind of operation panels, it must be configurated one physical push button for every available floor, when the elevator is installed in a high building or a skyscraper. Even if the operation panel is a touchscreen, many virtual buttons with the same number of floors must be displayed on the screen too. As a result, the operation panel because of its length will be very high after it is mounted.
An elevator with such an operation panel may cause inconveniences or problems to some passengers. A standard COP is designed for people higher than 1.20 meter. In a high building the destination floor calling buttons for high floors are normally in the top position on a COP. These buttons can be much higher than 1.2 meter so that children are usually not tall enough to reach them. Other persons of short stature like dwarfs or wheelchair bound persons may also fall into the same awkward situation. Oftentimes they need a help from an adult to make a destination calling.
Some known operation panels are able to convert voice instructions of passengers by a speech recognition section. Therefore, passengers may replace the potentially difficult process of reaching high buttons with the simple oral instructions to select their destination floors. Some other operation panels can communicate with a mobile device, e.g. smart phone. Because passengers will get a simulated operation interface displayed by their smart phones, they just need to use their smart phones as an operation panel. Since both kinds of the operation panels require additional hardware and software, they are complex and prone to failure. In addition, they are expensive and difficult to manufacture, install and maintain.
The objective of the present invention to provide a simple and reliable destination call arrangement, for an elevator, which can provide more convenient service for as many peoples as possible.
Such an object may be achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further exemplary embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and the following description.
According to the present invention, a destination call arrangement for an elevator comprises a main part and an auxiliary part. The main part comprises multiple destination floor call buttons for selecting a destination floor, while the auxiliary part consists of one or more auxiliary call selection elements, hereinafter also referred to as destination switches. The one or more destination switches of the auxiliary part are configurable to function as the at least one destination floor call button. The one or more destination switches of the auxiliary part are preferably placed at a lesser height than at least some of the highest destination floor call buttons, when the destination call arrangement is installed for the elevator, wherein the auxiliary part can be placed under or beside the main part. The destination switches are at a lower position so that they are better reachable or accessible for short peoples, e.g. children or disabled in wheelchairs, who could have a difficulty to get pushing those destination floor call buttons placed in the top position of the destination call arrangement. Hence such a destination call arrangement for an elevator, especially for high-rise elevators, will bring convenience to more passengers.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the one or more destination switches are either electrically coupled with the at least one destination floor call button or logically coupled by software to the same floor which is registered for the at least one destination floor call button. For example, the destination switch/switches may just be connected electrically with a destination floor call button so that they function always synchronously. Switching the destination switch is equivalent to pressing the destination floor call button coupled with this switch. Another solution is that a same floor can be assigned to both the destination switch and the destination floor call button. Consequently, the same destination floor is selected regardless of whether a passenger pressed the destination switch or the destination floor call button. Both methods are easy to operate and to be realized, and such a destination call arrangement can be manufactured as a simple, reliable and low-cost product.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the destination call arrangement comprises a detection means for detecting an elevator passenger coming in the elevator car, advantageously the height of this elevator passenger is detected too. The detection means is e.g. a camera or a device being able to communicate with a load detection means of the elevator. The load detection means which may also combine a light curtain installed at a shaft door can measure a load bearing of the elevator car. By using such a detection means it is possible to know whether a child or a person in a wheelchair comes into the elevator car.
As an improvement of the present invention, the destination call arrangement comprises an authentication means for configuring the one or more destination switches, wherein the authentication means identifies a key, a device, a personality, a code and/or a detecting result of the detection means. Accordingly, it is allowed that the configuration of the destination switches will be executed only by authorized personnel, e.g. a caretaker or a service technician. For this purpose, they may get and keep the key, ID-card, passwords or other data related to identity verification. A validity period of the configuration of the one or more destination switches depends on a time period and/or a schedule. For example, when a for auxiliary part registered child grows up or moved away, she/he won't need using the auxiliary part anymore, the destination switches of this auxiliary part then can be assigned to other younger children living on other floors. After a new configuration or an updating, the front face of the destination switch/switches sometimes need to be changed accordingly.
It is also possible that the destination switch is available for a passenger, even though this switch is not configured at all or this passenger has not been registered yet for using the auxiliary part. For this case that the detection means detected that a short person but who doesn't live in this building coming into the elevator car. If after a preset time period none of the destination floor call buttons or the destination switches is actuated, the destination call arrangement will assume that this person needs help with the auxiliary part. Alternatively, the detection is realizable e.g. by using an image or face recognition technology. Then the destination call arrangement activates auxiliary unit to allow this person to configure the destination switch/switches by her-/himself. An instruction, e.g. a voice, in this case could be more helpful for the passenger. This described function or service of the destination call arrangement can be pre-programmed or defined with authentication means by the authorized personnel.
As an improvement of the present invention, the destination call arrangement comprises a feedback means for feeding back an actuation of the one or more destination switches. The feedback is an optical and/or an acoustical signal. For example, a certain destination floor call button of the main part will be illuminated if a destination switch coupled with this button is actuated. The acoustical signal could be an artificial voice telling a passenger which destination floor is selected. For the instance aforementioned that a short person is not registered for the auxiliary part. After she/he got an instruction that she/he may now use the auxiliary part, then she/he will use the destination switch for example like a joystick or a turn knob to choose a destination floor call button of the main part. In the meanwhile, one of the destination floor call buttons will be illuminated (e.g. with a flashing light signal) as a first feedback when the destination switch is temporary assigned to or coupled with this illumined button. After she/he has confirmed her/his choice of a destination floor call button, a second feedback e.g. a continuous illuminating, a beep or a voice will be given, and the determined destination floor call button keeps illuminating until the elevator car arrives at the destination floor. Depend on certain administrative rules, children should be authorized by their parents and the building management to permit using this service or get a corresponding training. Even if all the destination switches are configured already, it is still possible that the destination switches may be just available temporarily for anybody who needs the help with them. After the temporary availability and accessibility, the destination switch will be restored to its original state or configuration.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the destination call arrangement comprises an information sender which can communicate with an alarm unit. The communication is a wired or wireless communication, wherein the information sender and the alarm unit can be connected through a communication interface (e.g. gateway, router) with each other and/or gain an access to a network (e.g. public network) outside of this elevator. Moreover, the alarm unit can be a fixed local unit and/or a mobile unit, e.g. a wearable device or a cellular phone. By actuating the one or more destination switches, the information sender generates sends an alarm activating signal to the alarm unit to generate an alarm signal. The alarm signal could be an optical, an acoustic or vibrating signal as well. For example, a voice sounds in an apartment room or by a mobile phone to alert a parent that their child is now on the way in the elevator car to home.
As another improvement of the present invention, the one or more destination switches are adjustable to control a shaft door and/or car door of the elevator. This adjustment may depend on how long or how hard the destination switch is e.g. pressed or turned. For example, a wheelchair user needs more time to enter or exit the elevator car, he can press the destination switch longer in order to let the door opening time extents the preset default time. On the other hand, if a child switches the destination switch, his/her strength is normally smaller than an adult, hence the destination call arrangement knows that the door closing should be slow and tender.
As further improvement of the present invention, the one or more destination switches and the at least one destination floor call buttons are preferentially implemented different from their appearances, shapes, dimensions and/or materials. Since the auxiliary part and its destination switch/switches are easy to recognize, passengers know whether the destination floor call buttons or destination switches they should use, a misusing can thus be avoided.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main part and the auxiliary part are either integrated in one assembly or configurated as two assemblies. Furthermore, the destination call arrangement can be manufactured as an operation panel inside and/or outside of the elevator car, i.e. as a COP and/or a LOP.
As a further improvement of the present invention, an elevator may consist of one or more destination call arrangement according to an aforementioned destination call arrangement.
At least one of the afore-mentioned implementation examples offers one or more solutions to the problems and disadvantages of the known prior art. Other technological benefits of the present invention become evident to a person skilled in the art from the following description and the claims. The numerous examples of implementing the present invention achieve only a part of the presented advantages. None of the advantages is critical to the examples of implementation. Any required embodiment can technically be combined with any other required embodiment. The examples represent only a few advantageous embodiments and they do not limit the idea of the invention that can be implemented even in other manners within the framework of the claims presented further below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig.1: shows a schematic view of a front side of a destination call arrangement according to the aforementioned invention.
Fig.2: shows a schematic view of an elevator with a destination call arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a front side of one example of a destination call arrangement 1 disclosed herein for an elevator 2. For this embodiment, the destination call arrangement 1 is a car operation panel (COP) and comprises a main part 3 and an auxiliary part 4, wherein the two parts are integrated into one panel and the auxiliary part 4 is below the main part 3. The main part 3 consists of multiple destination floor call buttons 3a, 3b, 3c for selecting a destination floor while the auxiliary part 4 of three destination switches 4a, 4b, 4c, wherein the switch 4c is a unconfigured blank switch. The destination switches 4a, 4b, 4c look different from the destination floor call buttons 3a, 3b, 3c in their shapes, dimensions and/or materials. And the destination switches 4a, 4b, 4c can be implemented in various forms and styles as well, e.g. like a joystick or a turn knob. Here the destination switches 4a, 4b, 4c are three square push buttons having a larger face than the destination floor call buttons 3a, 3b, 3c.
Among these destination floor call buttons, the buttons 3a, 3b in the upper part of the main part 3 might be too high for some short people so that they cannot reach theses buttons easily. The two buttons 3a, 3b are therefore electrically coupled with the destination switches 4a, 4b respectively. In order to distinguish from other ordinary destination floor call buttons 3c, in Fig. 1 the buttons 3a, 3b are outlined in bold lines and filled with gray color. The destination switch 4a is registered e.g. for a child 11 who lives in the floor registered by the button 3a, while the destination switch 4b is for a wheelchair bound disabled who lives in the floor registered by the button 3b. If the child or the disabled 11 pushes the switch 4a or 4b, the result is equivalent that they had pushed the destination floor call button 3a or 3b. A feedback means 12 for feeding back an actuation of the destination switches 4a, 4b is a loudspeaker integrated in the COP 1 for telling the child or the disabled which floor as destination has been chosen. And the corresponding destination floor call button 3a, 3b will be illuminated. Possibly, the feedback means 12 can be integrated in the switches 4a, 4b, 4c or/and in the destination floor call buttons 3a, 3b, 3c respectively.
An authentication means 5 (e.g. a key) of the COP 1 is available for configuring the destination switches 4a, 4b, 4c so that the configuration is only executable by an authorized personal. The configuring should be done e.g. according to a certain time period. For example, when the above-mentioned child later is tall enough, the for her/him registered switch 4a can be assigned to other children. A reconfigured destination switch normally needs a new front face. The easiest way to do this is to use a label stick to cover the face of this destination switch. Moreover, to improve user experience and to meet user's personalized needs, the destination switch 4a may display on its face a cartoon figure and the switch 4b shows symbol of a wheelchair. Other solutions like putting a designable electric illumination into the destination switches or replacing their internal parts (e.g. LED) is considerable too.
The COP 1 comprises further an information sender 10 to communicate with an alarm unit 8 (shown in Fig. 2). By actuating the destination switch 4a or 4b, the information sender 10 will send an alarm activating signal 7 to make the alarm unit 8 generating an alarm signal 13.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an elevator 2 installed in a building, wherein the destination call arrangement 1 placed in an elevator car 9 is only partly displayed. A detection means 6 destination call arrangement comprises a for detecting the height of an elevator passenger 11. The detection means 6 is e.g. a camera or a device communicated with a load detection means (not displayed) of the elevator 2. Thus, the destination call arrangement 1 knows whether a child or a person 11 driving a wheelchair comes into the elevator car 9. This can further improve the applicability of the destination call arrangement 1. Advantageously, through the destination switches 4a, 4b, 4c the opening time, the speed and the force of a shaft door and/or car door 14 of the elevator 2 can be suitable adjusted. This adjustment depends on how long or how hard the passenger 11 pushes destination switches 4a, 4b, 4c. For example, a disabled in wheelchair shall get more time to enter or exit the elevator car, when he has pushed the destination switch longer or more times to let the door opening time extents the preset default time. For children the doors 14 should close slowly and tender.
Suppose that the camera 6 detected a boy 11 coming into the elevator car 9. If the boy doesn't live in this building, he can't use the auxiliary part 4, because the destination switch 4c is not configured yet for anybody. After a predefined default time period (e.g. 30 seconds), when he still hasn't chosen any destination floor call button or destination switch, the destination call arrangement 1 will assume that he can't reach the destination floor call button which he wants. Then the destination call arrangement 1 will activate the destination switch 4c to allow him to select a destination floor call button and give him a voice instruction about this activation. The boy now may use the available switch 4c to choose one of the destination floor call buttons 3a, 3b, 3c. One of these buttons will become illuminated synchronously when this one is selected by the destination switch 4c. This let the boy during the choosing know which button is currently selected. For example, the destination floor call button 3b is now selected and keeps illuminating, when the boy confirmed his choice e.g. by pushing the switch 4c longer or twice or more, the floor registered for the button 3b will be automatically given as the destination floor. As a confirmation feedback it could be a beep or a voice. Even if the destination switches 4c is already configured as well as the switches 4a, 4b, at least one of these switches 4a, 4b, 4c can be activated to become temporarily available for the passenger, when the camera 6 detected that the passenger is a boy. After the boy is transferred to his destination floor, the destination switch/switches will be restored with its/their original configuration.
An information sender 10 communicates with a fixed alarm unit 8a located in a room or in the building and with a mobile alarm unit 8b, e.g. a smart phone. By actuating a destination switch the information sender 10 sends an alarm activating signal 7 to the alarm units 8a and 8b to make them generate an alarm signal 13, in order to give a parent a message that their child or family member is coming back.
It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above; instead they may vary within the scope of the claims. As shown in Fig. 2, the destination call arrangement 1 can be implemented e.g. as a LOP or Port additionally or alternatively to the COP too. In this case the camera 6 should installed outside of the elevator car 9. Both the COP and the LOP can be a touchscreen, wherein there are many virtual buttons displayed which are functionally same as the destination floor call buttons 3a, 3b, 3c or destination switches 4a, 4b, 4c afore described.

List of reference symbols

1: Destination call arrangement
2: Elevator
3: Main part
3a, 3b, 3c: Destination floor call buttons
4: Auxiliary part
4a, 4b, 4c: auxiliary call selection elements, buttons
5: Authentication means
6: Detection means
7: Alarm activating signal
8a: Fixed alarm unit
8b: Mobile alarm unit
9: Elevator car
10: Information sender
11: Passenger
12: Feedback means
13: Alarm signal
14: Door

Claims

A destination call arrangement (1) for an elevator (2), comprising:
- a main part (3) with multiple destination floor call buttons (3a, 3b, 3c) for selecting a destination floor,

- an auxiliary part (4) with at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c), characterized in that
the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c) is configurable to function as at least one of the destination floor call buttons (3a, 3b, 3c).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the auxiliary part is located below the main part, such that the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c) is placed at a lower height than the destination floor call buttons (3a, 3b, 3c), when the destination call arrangement (1) is installed for an elevator (2).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c) is either electrically or logically couplable with the at least one destination floor call button (3a, 3b, 3c).
A destination call arrangement (1) control system (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein destination call arrangement (1) comprises a detection means (6) for detecting an elevator passenger (11) entering the elevator car (9).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to claim 4, wherein
the detection means (6) is a camera or a device being able to communicate with a load detection means (6) of the elevator (2).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein
the destination call arrangement (1) comprises an authentication means (5) for configuring the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c), wherein the authentication means (5) identifies a key, a device, a personality, a code and/or a detecting result of the said detection means (6).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein
the validity period of the configuration of the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c) depends on a time period and/or a schedule.
A destination call arrangement (1) control system (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein
the destination call arrangement (1) comprises a feedback means (12) for feeding back an actuation of the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein
the destination call arrangement (1) comprises an information sender (10) for communicating with an alarm unit (8a, 8b), wherein by actuating the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c) the information sender (10) sends an alarm activating signal (7) to the alarm unit (8a, 8b) for generating an alarm signal (13).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to claim 9, wherein
the alarm unit is a fixed local alarm unit (8a) and/or a mobile alarm unit (8b).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 10, wherein
the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c) are adjustable to control a shaft door and/or car door (14) of the elevator (2).
A destination call arrangement (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 11, wherein
the at least one auxiliary call selection element (4a, 4b, 4c) and the at least one destination floor call buttons (3a, 3b, 3c) are implemented different from their appearances, shapes, dimensions and/or materials
A destination call arrangement (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 12, wherein
the main part (3) and the auxiliary part (4) are integrated in one assembly or configurated as two assemblies.
A destination call arrangement (1) according to claim 13, wherein
the destination call arrangement (1) is an operation panel inside and/or outside of the elevator car (9).
An elevator (2) comprising at least one destination call arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims.