Elevator display systems

Elevator cars are provided herein. The elevator cars include a wall panel defining part of a passenger space of the elevator car, two or more receiving rails arranged on an exterior of the wall panel, and an elevator display system having a viewing panel and an enclosure housing a display screen. The viewing panel is mounted to the wall panel on an interior of the wall panel and the enclosure is engageable with the receiving rails on the exterior of the wall panel such that the display screen is movably positioned relative to the viewing panel to be viewable from within the passenger space in an installed position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of European Application No. 18305536.7, filed Apr. 27, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to elevator systems and, more particularly, to elevator display systems.

Elevator systems include various components that require maintenance actions to be performed thereon, including, but not limited to, inspection, repair, and replacement. Typically, such maintenance operations may be time consuming and various safety requirements imposed thereon. For example, for some maintenance operations, access to an elevator shaft may be required by a mechanic to perform such maintenance operations. It may be advantageous to provide improved systems to increase safety and/or reduce costs associated with maintenance of elevator systems.

Some such components may include displays located in or on an elevator car. Typically, such displays are mounted relative to and/or behind elevator car wall panels. The wall panels may be required to be opened or removed to enable maintenance to be performed on the displays. During such maintenance operations, damage may occur to the wall panels, to the displays, and/or to other aspects of the elevator system. Moreover, performing such maintenance may be time consuming and require elevator system downtime, e.g., out-of-service, to perform such maintenance. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to have improved systems associated with displays of elevator cars to improve maintenance thereof.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, elevator cars are provided. The elevator cars include a wall panel defining part of a passenger space of the elevator car, two or more receiving rails arranged on an exterior of the wall panel, and an elevator display system having a viewing panel and an enclosure housing a display screen. The viewing panel is mounted to the wall panel on an interior of the wall panel and the enclosure is engageable with the receiving rails on the exterior of the wall panel such that the display screen is movably positioned relative to the viewing panel to be viewable from within the passenger space in an installed position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include a positioning bracket on at least one receiving rail, wherein the enclosure is engageable with the positioning bracket to position the display screen relative to the viewing panel.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include a positioning pin on the enclosure wherein the positioning pin engages with the positioning bracket.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include that the positioning bracket comprises a track and the positioning pin is arranged to be received within the track.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include a stop bracket arranged on the exterior of the wall panel and positioned to support the enclosure in the installed position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include that the enclosure comprises at least one enclosure extension arranged to enable manual manipulation of the enclosure.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include a power supply and a display controller housed within the enclosure.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include that the power supply is a battery.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include a maintenance platform deployable from a ceiling of the elevator car.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include that the viewing panel is at least a portion of a mirror.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include that the viewing panel is a transparent material window.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator cars may include that the viewing panel defines a surface area greater than the display screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The roping107engages the machine111, which is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system101. The machine111is configured to control movement between the elevator car103and the counterweight105. The position encoder113may be mounted on an upper sheave of a speed-governor system119and may be configured to provide position signals related to a position of the elevator car103within the elevator shaft117. In other embodiments, the position encoder113may be directly mounted to a moving component of the machine111, or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known in the art.

The controller115is located, as shown, in a controller room121of the elevator shaft117and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system101, and particularly the elevator car103. For example, the controller115may provide drive signals to the machine111to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car103. The controller115may also be configured to receive position signals from the position encoder113. When moving up or down within the elevator shaft117along guide rail109, the elevator car103may stop at one or more landings125as controlled by the controller115. Although shown in a controller room121, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the controller115can be located and/or configured in other locations or positions within the elevator system101.

The machine111may include a motor or similar driving mechanism. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the machine111is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source, including a power grid, which, in combination with other components, is supplied to the motor.

Although shown and described with a roping system, elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving an elevator car within an elevator shaft may employ embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 1is merely a non-limiting example presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes.

FIG. 2is a schematic illustration of an elevator system201that may incorporate embodiments disclosed herein. As shown inFIG. 2, an elevator car203is located at a landing225. The elevator car203may be called to the landing225by a passenger227that desires to travel to another floor within a building using a hall call panel229. The elevator car203may include displays for providing visual information to passengers within the elevator car and/or may display advertisements, television, etc. thereon. Further, the elevator car203may include a mirror to enable persons facing the mirror to see a reflection, e.g., to determine if a person or passenger is behind the viewer, which may be useful to passengers in wheelchairs or having other disabilities.

It may be desirable to incorporate both large mirrors (to aid passengers with visibility) and large displays (to present information or content) into an elevator car. One way to incorporate both displays and mirrors is to install the display behind the mirror such that the same surface area of a wall or panel of an elevator car includes both the mirror and the display, with the display being visible as a screen behind the mirror. The combined systems, e.g., incorporating a display in the elevator car behind a mirror, may impact maintenance operations and procedures. For example, when a display is integrated behind a mirror, to perform maintenance on the display aesthetics components are typically removed (e.g., wall panels). Such operations and procedures may be time consuming and can risk damage to the aesthetic components (e.g., scratches or damage to panels; damage to the mirror itself, etc.).

Turning now toFIG. 3, a schematic illustration of an elevator display system300in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The elevator display system300, as shown, is installed within an elevator car302. The elevator car302includes wall panels304,306,308and an elevator car door (not shown). The wall panels304,306,308define a passenger space of the elevator car302and may be mounted to supports, a frame, or other structural members on the exterior of the wall panels304,306,308.

The elevator display system300is part of and/or integrated into a first wall panel304of the elevator car302. As shown, the elevator car302further includes a car operating panel310. The car operating panel310includes a car control panel312(having buttons or other input means), a speaker314, and an operating display316. The speaker314and the operating display316may be configured to provide information to passengers within the elevator car302regarding the operation of the elevator car302. For example, the speaker314and the operating display316may provide audio and visual information about current location within an elevator shaft (e.g., current landing) and/or destination information. The speaker314and the operating display316may also provide emergency notification information to passengers within the elevator car302.

The elevator display system300includes a mirror318, a viewing panel319, and a display screen320that are mounted to and/or integrated into the first wall panel304, and are visible from the passenger space of the elevator car302. The viewing panel319in this embodiment is a subpart or portion of the mirror318, and may be transparent to enable viewing of the display screen320when the display screen320is on. Further, when the display screen320is off, the viewing panel319, in this embodiment, may operate as a mirror. In alternative embodiments, the viewing panel319may be a glass, plastic, acrylic, or other transparent material window that does not reflect when the display screen320is off. Further, in some embodiments, the mirror318(and reflective materials) may be entirely omitted with a viewing panel319being arranged within or on the wall panel304to provide visibility of the display screen320. In some embodiments, the mirror318or at least the viewing panel319of the mirror318may be a one-way mirror to enable the display screen320to be viewable through the mirror, when the display screen320is on.

The display screen320can be a television or other display screen positioned within the elevator car302to provide various information and/or entertainment within the elevator car302. The display screen320is located behind the mirror318and the viewing panel319and thus performing maintenance on the display screen320may be difficult, requiring removal of the mirror318, of the viewing panel319, and/or removal of one or more of the wall panels304,306,308.

However, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a display package is provided that enables ease of maintenance on such displays. For example, in accordance with some embodiments, a display package is provided having an enclosure that houses a power supply, an electronic board, and a screen as a single unit. The display package allows for ease of manipulation by mechanics or other authorized personnel. During a maintenance operation, instead of removing or opening wall panels or the mirror from within the elevator car, the mechanic may open a foldable ceiling panel and access a maintenance platform to gain access above the elevator car. Once above the elevator car, the mechanic may then perform an installation and/or maintenance operation on the display package from the exterior of the elevator car. The display package may be removable into and from a display guiding system that is on the exterior of the elevator car or at least exterior to the mirror or viewing panel (e.g., behind the mirror or viewing panel). The display guiding system is assembled onto a structural panel or element of the elevator car and is located behind the mirror or viewing panel. Thus, during a maintenance operation, the mechanic may only have to put the display package into the display guiding system to secure the display behind the mirror or viewing panel.

The display package slidingly engages with the display guiding system, which allows for the display to be secured in place behind the viewing panel. The display guiding system allows for vertical sliding from the top of the elevator car and complete translation of the display package behind the viewing panel. The display system of the present disclosure enables the display screen to be positioned close to the back side of the viewing panel in order to be visible from within the elevator car. Then, during maintenance, the mechanic will access the maintenance platform, pull the display package from the display guiding system and remove the entire display package for maintenance.

Turning now toFIG. 4, a schematic illustration of a backside of a display package422of an elevator display system400is shown. The display package422includes a display screen420this is fixed or mounted to an enclosure424. The enclosure424is arranged to support the display screen420and other components of the display package422and also to releasably engage with a structural frame or panel of an elevator car, as described herein.

As shown, mounted to the enclosure424is the display screen420, a power supply426, and a display controller428. The power supply426is arranged to supply power to the display controller428and the display screen420. The power supply426may be a battery, as illustratively shown. However, in some embodiments, the power supply426may be arranged to receive a plug or cord to enable electrical connection between the display package and a power source of the elevator car to which the elevator display system400is installed.

The enclosure424further includes enclosure rails430that are configured to enable installation of the enclosure424behind a mirror or viewing panel of the elevator display system400. The enclosure rails430may slidingly engage with and translate along respective receiving rails of the elevator car frame. The enclosure424further includes one or more positioning pins432that are arranged to engage with a positioning bracket of the elevator car frame, behind the viewing panel, to ensure proper positioning of the display screen420behind the viewing panel. Furthermore, as shown, the enclosure424includes one or more enclosure extensions434that are arranged to aid a mechanic to access and manually move the enclosure424(e.g., install and/or remove).

Turning now toFIGS. 5A-5C, schematic illustrations of an installation process of an elevator display system500in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.FIG. 5Ais a schematic illustration of an elevator car502having an enclosure524of the elevator display system500installed thereto.FIG. 5Bis an enlarged illustration of the enclosure524as installed to the elevator car502(i.e., an installed position of the enclosure524).FIG. 5Cis an enlarged illustration of the enclosure524partially removed during a maintenance operation. The enclosure524is substantially similar to the arrangement shown inFIG. 4, housing a display screen, a power supply, and a display controller, but further including a back plate that protects the display screen, the power supply, and the display controller. Also shown inFIG. 5A, the elevator car502includes a car operating panel510.

As shown, the enclosure524is installed to receiving rails536that are part of a frame of the elevator car502. The receiving rails536are mounted to the back side or exterior of a wall panel504of the elevator car502. In some arrangements the receiving rails536are structural members or supports for the wall panel504. The receiving rails536can include slots for receiving enclosure rails of the enclosure524and/or positioning brackets to receive positioning pins532of the enclosure524.

As shown, an access opening538is schematically shown in the ceiling or top of the elevator car502. The access opening538may be arranged as a drop panel or platform of the ceiling of the elevator car502. In some embodiments, as described below, a platform may unfold from the ceiling and allow a mechanic or other person to gain access to the top of the elevator car502through the access opening538. A mechanic may then access the enclosure524and the electronics and components thereof by removing the enclosure524from engagement using one or more enclosure extensions534.

Turning now toFIG. 5B, an enlarged illustration of the enclosure524installed to the receiving rails536is schematically shown. The enclosure524is positioned behind a viewing panel540, e.g., a portion of a mirror, as shown inFIG. 5C), with the viewing panel540located on a panel of the elevator car502. As shown, the enclosure extensions534extend from a first end542of the elevator display system500and one or more positioning pins532are located at a second end544of the elevator display system500. Although not visible, the enclosure524may include one or more positioning pins at the first end542to engage with respective positioning brackets.

Turning now toFIG. 5C, a schematic illustration of the enclosure524as removed from engagement with the receiving rails536of the elevator car502is shown. The receiving rails536and a number of brackets are provided to guide and support the enclosure524during installation and operation. For example, as shown, first positioning brackets546are arranged on the receiving rails536at the first end542of the elevator display system500. The first positioning brackets546may receive respective positioning pins of the enclosure524(e.g., at the first end542of the elevator display system500, when the enclosure524is installed). Further, second positioning brackets548are arranged on the receiving rails536at the second end544of the elevator display system500. The second positioning brackets548may receive respective positioning pins of the enclosure524(e.g., at the second end544of the elevator display system500, when the enclosure524is installed). A stop bracket550is also arranged at the second end544of the elevator display system500, and is arranged to support the bottom or lower end of the enclosure524when the enclosure524is installed.

The positioning brackets546,548include slots or tracks552to receive the positioning pins of the enclosure524. The tracks552of the positioning brackets546,548may be angled such that during installation of the enclosure524into the positioning brackets546,548, the enclosure524is moved into contact or close proximity with the viewing panel540. That is, the positioning brackets546,548are arranged to ensure proper installation and positioning of the display screen of the elevator display system500relative to the viewing panel540of the elevator display system500. Further, the tracks552are arranged to ensure that during installation and/or removal of the enclosure524from the installed position (FIG. 5B), the enclosure524(or parts thereof) do not contact the viewing panel540and thus damage thereto can be avoided.

Turning now toFIG. 6, a schematic illustration of a mechanic660performing a maintenance operation on an elevator display system600in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The elevator display system600is similar to that shown and described above, and thus similar features may not be described in detail again. The elevator display system600includes a viewing panel640and an enclosure624housing a display screen, a power supply, and a display controller. The enclosure624is engageable with one or more positioning brackets646,648that are part of or mounted to one or more receiving rails636. The mechanic660is shown standing on a maintenance platform662that is suspended from a top664of an elevator car602. The mechanic660may access and move the enclosure624by using one or more enclosure extensions634, as described above.

Although the exterior views shown inFIGS. 5A-6illustrate a relatively small viewing panel that is the same size as the enclosure, such arrangements are not to be limiting. For example, the viewing panel shown in the illustrations may only be a part of a larger viewing panel or mirror (e.g., as shown inFIG. 3). That is, the viewing panel and the display screen of the elevator display systems of the present disclosure may be the same size, or may be different sizes, with the viewing panel typically being larger than the display screen.

Advantageously, embodiments of the present disclosure facilitate the installation and maintenance of displays that are located behind viewing panel (e.g., mirrors or other windows) within an elevator car. Embodiments provided herein can greatly reduce maintenance times for installation and maintenance operations associated with displays. Moreover, advantageously, embodiments provided herein can reduce risk to damage aesthetic component in an elevator car during installation and maintenance operations of displays thereof.