HK1113344B - Elevator door lock sensor device - Google Patents

Description

Elevator door lock sensor device

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to elevator systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to elevator door lock systems.

Background

Elevator systems typically include multiple elevator doors. For example, some of the doors travel with the elevator car moving up and down within the hoistway. Other doors are located at each landing (landing) providing access to the elevator shaft or car when the car is at a particular landing. Various door configurations are known.

The doors must be maintained in a locked condition during various stages of elevator system operation. For example, when an elevator car is not at a landing, the corresponding hoistway door should remain locked. Today's safety codes require an arrangement for detecting when an elevator door is not properly locked. In many cases, the elevator system controller prevents operation of the elevator system when the doors are not properly locked.

Typical arrangements include a mechanical switch for detecting when an elevator door lock is not properly locked. Such a configuration has proven effective, but with difficulties and disadvantages. For example, it is easy for an individual to defeat the function of a mechanical switch with readily available tools to "fool" the controller regardless of the state of the door lock. In addition, the contact surfaces associated with mechanical switches are often subject to dirt, corrosion, or damage, which requires periodic cleaning and inspection. In addition, the shunt and spring components of mechanical switches tend to wear over time, requiring periodic cleaning and inspection.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved sensor arrangement for providing an indication of a properly locked elevator door. The present invention addresses this need.

Disclosure of Invention

One example of a sensor device for determining the locking state of an elevator door includes a plurality of proximity sensor elements arranged in a selected geometric pattern. The plurality of activation elements are arranged in a corresponding geometric pattern. Each activation element interacts with a respective one of the sensor elements when the activation element is positioned relative to the sensor element in a manner corresponding to a locked state of the elevator door lock.

In one example, the proximity sensor element comprises a hall effect sensor element and the activation element comprises a magnet.

In one example, an output circuit associated with each sensor element provides an indication that the door lock is in the locked state only when each activation element properly interacts with each sensor element. In one example, the output circuit provides an output indicative of a location, such as a floor, of each door lock sensor arrangement. Such positional information is particularly useful when a mechanic or technician is troubleshooting or attempting to locate an improperly locked door.

Another example of a sensor arrangement for determining the state of an elevator door lock includes at least one proximity sensor element that senses whether the lock is in a locked state. An output circuit provides an output indicating whether the lock is in a locked state and indicating a floor position of the device. In one example, the controller receives these indications from the output circuit and determines whether the elevator door lock at each floor is in a locked state.

The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Drawings

Figure 1 schematically illustrates selected components of an elevator door assembly including a sensor device designed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates selected portions of a sensor configuration designed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of a geometrical pattern of sensor elements.

Fig. 4 schematically shows another geometrical pattern of sensor elements.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an example of an output circuit for use in an embodiment such as that of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an elevator door assembly 20. The door panel 22 is supported for movement relative to a cross member (header)24 in a known manner. In the illustrated example, the door panel 22 slides horizontally between an open position and a closed position.

The locking device 30 is associated with the door panel 22 and the cross member 24 in a generally known manner. In this example, the locking member 32 is pivotally supported at 34 on the door 22. For example, the locking member 32 has a locking portion 36 received within a receiver 38, the receiver 38 remaining fixed relative to the beam 24. When the locking portion 36 is received within the receiver 38, the door 22 is properly locked.

The example of fig. 1 includes a sensor arrangement 40 for detecting when the door lock assembly 30 is in the properly locked condition. The sensor device 40 includes at least one proximity sensor element, for example, for sensing when the locking portion 36 is properly received within the receiver 38. The term "proximity sensor" as used in this specification refers to a sensor device that provides a sensing function without the need for mechanical or physical contact. Examples include hall effect sensors, inductive sensors, and photosensors. With a proximity sensor, the disadvantages and drawbacks associated with mechanical switches are avoided. Furthermore, additional sensor features make possible an economically feasible approach, as described below.

An example of a sensor device configuration is shown in fig. 2. In this example, a plurality of proximity sensor elements 42 and 44 are supported on the receiver 38. The sensor elements 42 and 44 provide an indication to an output circuit 46, and the output circuit 46 communicates with a controller 48 to provide an indication of when the door lock assembly 30 is properly locked. In this example, the locking portion 36 of the locking member 32 supports the activation elements 52 and 54. Activation elements 52 and 54 are provided on the locking portion 36, the activation elements 52 and 54 interacting with the proximity sensor elements 42 and 44, respectively, when the lock assembly 30 is properly locked.

The provision of multiple sensor elements 42 and 44 provides redundancy to meet regulatory requirements covering the possible failure of one of the sensor elements. The provision of a plurality of sensor elements 42 and 44 also allows for the arrangement of the sensor elements in a particular geometric pattern and for the arrangement of the activation elements 52 and 54 in a corresponding geometric pattern, so that the sensor arrangement 40 provides an indication that the door lock is correctly locked only when each sensor element interacts with a corresponding one of the activation elements. This strategic placement of the sensor elements and the activation elements effectively provides a key associated with each door lock to avoid an incorrect indication of the locked state of the door.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of a geometrical pattern configuration in which the sensor elements 42, 44 and 45 are aligned and the corresponding activation elements 52, 54 and 56 are aligned such that they overlap so that the sensor elements are activated by the presence of the activation elements when the door lock is in the locked position.

Another example of a geometric pattern is shown in fig. 4. A wide variety of patterns are possible. With the specific configuration of these elements, custom configuration is allowed and individuals are prevented from overriding the sensor configuration. Providing a false-correct indication of the status of the door lock, for example, requires the individual to arrange the activation elements to conform to the geometric pattern of the sensor elements. By providing different patterns for a wide variety of door lock configurations, such tampering can be prevented.

The sensor element is preferably a proximity sensor element which does not require contact as is required with mechanical switches. In one example, the sensor element comprises a hall effect sensor element that is responsive to a magnetic field caused by the proper presence of the activation element. In one example, the activation element includes a magnet. One particular example arranges the sensor element and the activation element with the magnetic north or south pole at a particular location as desired. For example, such a configuration prevents an individual (individual) from placing a single magnet above the magnetic field of all sensor elements to circumvent the sensor function. For example, having one of the sensor elements responsive to only magnetic north poles and the other sensor element responsive to only magnetic south poles results in a robust (robust) configuration.

Another example includes an inductive sensor element. Yet another example includes a photosensor element. Yet another example includes a combination of two or more such sensor elements.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an example of an output circuit 46, in which sensor elements 42 and 44, respectively, provide output voltages in response to proper interaction with the activation elements. In the example of fig. 5, and gates 60 and 62 both receive output voltages from sensor elements 42 and 44. The outputs of AND gates 60 and 62 are provided to OR gate 64. When the sensor elements 42 and 42 properly interact with the active elements, they provide a voltage output corresponding to a logic high level. Thus, the and gates 60 and 62 feed forward an output signal through the or gate 64 indicating that both sensor elements 42 and 44 are properly interacting with the activation element and that the gate is in a locked state.

Two and gates 60 and 62 are provided in fig. 5 for redundancy. If one of the AND gates 60 and 62 fails, the other will still provide the correct output through the OR gate 64 to indicate the locked status of the gate.

If neither sensor element 42 or 44 interacts with an activation element (i.e., the locked portion 36 is not within the receiver 38), the output of the OR gate 64 will be a logic low level, which in one example indicates a gate unlocked condition.

A wide variety of output circuits may be used to meet the needs of a particular situation. One example of a configuration includes an output circuit that provides a binary output for indicating when the door lock is in a locked state. In one example, the binary output also provides an indication of the floor location of a particular sensor device. One example of an output circuit provides a binary output number to the controller 48 that allows the controller to determine which floors have locked doors. Such a configuration is advantageous for troubleshooting or repair because the sensors provide floor position indications, allowing a mechanic or technician to easily identify which floor needs to be serviced, for example in the case of a return repair.

In one example, the controller 48 provides an indication of the level of an unlocked door to a remote location so that a service technician arriving at the site obtains information regarding which door lock (i.e., which level) requires attention or maintenance. This additional useful information is not possible with conventional lock sensors that rely on mechanical switches.

In one example, the plurality of sensor elements includes a number corresponding to a desired number of bits within the binary output. In another example, the output circuit is configured to produce a binary output having a greater number of bits than the number of sensors. In the latter example, a sensor device comprising two sensor elements provides a four-bit binary output with a properly designed output circuit. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to select the number of sensors and the configuration of the output circuit to meet the needs of their particular situation.

In one example, the controller 48 includes a look-up table relating the relationship between the binary output number of the output circuit 46 and a particular floor. In one example, controller 48 receives a respective binary output from a respective sensor device 40 whenever one of the door locks is properly locked. By determining whether any of the binary output numbers are missing, the controller 48 determines that a particular door lock is not locked (or at least that the corresponding sensor device does not provide an indication that the lock is locked).

The disclosed examples include the following advantages: maintenance costs associated with mechanical switches are avoided, easy tampering of lock sensors is avoided, redundancy is provided to meet regulatory requirements, and position indication is provided to facilitate more efficient troubleshooting or repair.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than limiting in any respect. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims (18)

1. A sensor device (40) for determining the status of an elevator door lock (30), comprising:

a plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44), the sensor elements (42, 44) arranged in a selected geometric pattern and mountable on a portion of a single elevator door lock (30); and

a plurality of activation elements (52, 54), the activation elements (52, 54) being mountable on another part of the single elevator door lock (30) and being arranged in a respective geometric pattern such that each of the activation elements (52, 54) interacts with a respective one of the sensor elements (42, 44) when the activation elements (52, 54) are positioned relative to the sensor elements (42, 44) in a manner corresponding to a locked state of the elevator door lock (30),

wherein the plurality of proximity sensor elements are supported on one of the locking portion (36) of the locking member (32) or the lock receiver (38) and the plurality of activation elements are supported on the other of the locking portion (36) of the locking member (32) or the lock receiver (38).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor elements (42, 44) comprise hall effect sensor elements.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the activation element (52, 54) comprises a magnet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first one of the sensor elements (42, 44) is responsive to a magnetic north pole and a second one of the sensor elements (42, 44) is responsive to a magnetic south pole.

5. The device of claim 1, including a controller (48) that determines whether each activation element (52, 54) interacts with a respective sensor element (42, 44).

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller (48) determines that the elevator door lock (30) is in the unlocked state whenever at least one of the activation elements (52, 54) does not interact with the corresponding sensor element (42, 44).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor elements (42, 44) each provide a voltage responsive to interaction with a respective one of the activation elements (52, 54), and wherein the voltage provides an indication of a status of an elevator door lock (30).

8. The apparatus of claim 1, including an output circuit (46), the output circuit (46) providing an indication that the elevator door lock (30) is in the locked state only when each sensor element (42, 44) is affected by the respective activation element (52, 54).

9. The device of claim 1, including an output circuit (46) that provides an indication of the position of the device (40).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the output circuit (46) provides a binary output indicative of position.

11. The apparatus (40) of claim 1, further comprising:

an output circuit (46) responsive to the sensor elements (42, 44), the output circuit (46) providing an output indicative of whether the lock (30) is in a locked condition and indicative of a floor position of the device (40).

12. An elevator door lock assembly (30) comprising:

a locking component (32) of a single elevator door lock (30);

a lock receiver (38) of the single elevator door lock (30), the lock receiver (38) receiving at least a portion of the locking member (32) for selectively locking an elevator door (22) in a closed position;

a plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44) arranged in a selected geometric pattern and supported on one of the lock portion (36) of the lock member (32) or the lock receiver (38); and

a plurality of activation elements (52, 54) arranged in a respective geometric pattern and supported on the other of the lock receiver (38) or the locking portion (36) of the locking component (32) such that each of the activation elements (52, 54) interacts with a respective one of the sensor elements (42, 44) when the lock receiver receives at least a portion of the locking component (32).

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the sensor elements (42, 44) comprise hall effect sensor elements.

14. The assembly of claim 12, including a controller (48) that determines whether each activation element (52, 54) interacts with a respective sensor element (42, 44).

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the controller (48) determines that the elevator door lock (30) is in the unlocked state whenever at least one of the activation elements (52, 54) does not interact with the corresponding sensor element (42, 44).

16. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the sensor elements (42, 44) each provide a voltage responsive to interaction with a respective one of the activation elements (52, 54), and wherein the voltage provides an indication of a status of an elevator door lock (30).

17. The assembly of claim 12, including an output circuit (46), the output circuit (46) providing an indication that the elevator door lock (30) is in the locked state only when each sensor element (42, 44) is affected by the respective activation element (52, 54).

18. The assembly of claim 12, including an output circuit (46) providing an indication of a floor position of the sensor element (42, 44).