Patent Publication Number: US-2022212895-A1

Title: Lintel assembly for elevator and elevator system

Description:
FOREIGN PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110019044.9, filed Jan. 7, 2021, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates to the field of elevator components, and more specifically, the present application relates to a door lintel assembly for an elevator system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As a tool to improve the walking of passengers between floors or shorten the walking distance of passengers, passenger transportation devices are very common in daily life. As an example, it is particularly common to use elevators in residential buildings or between floors of commercial buildings. 
     For the elevator, display devices can be provided in an elevator car to input part of information when passengers are taking the elevator, e.g., functional display information such as elevator floor and running direction, or entertaining display information such as advertisements and short videos. The elevator car has three side walls, and a door lintel above a car door, which are used for installing the display devices. In order to prevent the passengers from being delayed when watching the content of the display device and failing to leaving the elevator, the car door lintel is usually selected as the installation position of the display device. At this point, since the car door lintel is in an upper space of the car, it is difficult to complete the disassembly and maintenance work from the inside of the car. Therefore, it is usually necessary to control the car to stop running, and perform the disassembly and maintenance work outside a ceiling of the car, which is relatively complicated and dangerous. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application aims to provide a door lintel assembly for an elevator and an elevator system so as to facilitate the maintenance of an elevator door lintel with a display device. 
     In order to achieve at least one object of the present application, according to an aspect of the present application, a door lintel assembly for an elevator is provided, which includes: a door lintel panel having an opening thereon; a display device, which is installed on the door lintel panel via the opening, and which has a display screen on a first side of the door lintel panel, and electronic components on a second side of the door lintel panel; and a rotation device, which includes a first bracket installed on both sides of the door lintel panel, a second bracket fixedly installed, and a rotation mechanism connecting the first bracket and the second bracket, wherein the rotation mechanism drives the first bracket and the door lintel panel to rotate relative to the second bracket. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the rotation mechanism includes: a first link, a first end of which is hinged to a first end of the first bracket, and a second end of which slides in a sliding groove provided in a length direction at a first end of the second bracket; a second link, a first end of which is hinged to a second end of the first bracket, and a second end of which is hinged to a second end of the second bracket; and a third link, a first end of which is hinged to the second end of the first link, and a second end of which is hinged to a middle part of the second link; wherein the length from the middle part to the first end of the second link is equal to the length of the first link. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the rotation mechanism includes: a first link, a first end of which slides in a sliding groove provided in a length direction at a first end of the first bracket, and a second end of which is hinged to a first end of the second bracket; a second link, a first end of which is hinged to a second end of the first bracket, and a second end of which is hinged to a second end of the second bracket; and a third link, a first end of which is hinged to the second end of the first link, and a second end of which is hinged to a middle part of the second link; wherein the length from the middle part to the first end of the second link is equal to the length of the first link. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, a sliding block is provided at a hinge point between the second end of the first link and the first end of the third link, and the sliding block slides in the sliding groove; or a sliding block is provided at the first end of the first link, and the sliding block slides in the sliding groove. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, a motor is further included, which drives the sliding block to slide back and forth along the sliding groove. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, a pressure cylinder is further included, which is provided between the second end of the first bracket and the second end of the second bracket to provide self-locking of a rotational movement of the door lintel panel. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, an installation position of the display device on the door lintel panel is farther away from the center of rotation than an installation position of the first bracket on the door lintel panel. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the door lintel panel is further provided with a first bending portion toward the second side of the door lintel panel at an end away from the center of rotation. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided on the first bending portion, and the locking mechanism is configured to restrict the rotational movement of the door lintel panel. 
     In order to achieve at least one object of the present application, according to another aspect of the present application, an elevator system is further provided, which includes: a car having a first car wall on which a car door is provided, wherein the first car wall has a door lintel installation hole above the car door; and the door lintel assembly as described above; wherein the door lintel panel is installed in the door lintel installation hole, the second bracket is installed on both sides of the exterior of the first car wall, and the rotation mechanism drives the first bracket and the door lintel panel to rotate relative to the second bracket and the first car wall, thereby opening or closing the door lintel installation hole. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the first car wall is provided with a cross beam between the car door and the door lintel installation hole; the door lintel panel is further provided with a first bending portion toward the second side of the door lintel panel at an end away from the center of rotation; wherein when the door lintel panel is rotated so that the door lintel installation hole is closed, the first bending portion covers a lower part of the cross beam. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the first bending portion and the cross beam are provided with locking mechanisms that cooperate with each other, and the locking mechanisms are configured to restrict the rotational movement of the door lintel panel. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the first bending portion is further provided with a second bending portion at a first end away from the door lintel panel; wherein when the door lintel panel is rotated so that the door lintel installation hole is closed, the second bending portion snap-fits with and covers the exterior of the cross beam. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the second bracket is installed on left and right sides of the exterior of the first car wall; and the rotation mechanism drives the first bracket and the door lintel panel to rotate upward or downward relative to the second bracket and the first car wall, thereby opening or closing the door lintel installation hole; wherein the center of rotation of the door lintel panel is close to an upper or lower part of the door lintel installation hole. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the second bracket is installed on upper and lower sides of the exterior of the first car wall; and the rotation mechanism drives the first bracket and the door lintel panel to rotate leftward or rightward relative to the second bracket and the first car wall, thereby opening or closing the door lintel installation hole; wherein the center of rotation of the door lintel panel is close to a left or right part of the door lintel installation hole. 
     In addition to or instead of one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, a pressure cylinder is further included, which is provided between the door lintel panel and the first car wall to provide self-locking of a rotational movement of the door lintel panel. 
     According to the door lintel assembly and the elevator system of the present application, by providing the door lintel assembly with a rotation device, the door lintel panel together with the display device thereon can be opened and closed by rotating, thereby providing better protection for electronic components of the display device, such as protection from dust, water or impact. In addition, when applied to elevators, the present disclosure realizes the opening and closing of the door lintel assembly inside the elevator car and the maintenance of the display device in a limited space, thus presenting a higher maintenance efficiency and operation safety. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a door lintel assembly for an elevator system. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a door lintel assembly for an elevator system. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of further another embodiment of a door lintel assembly for an elevator system. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an embodiment of an elevator system in which the door lintel assembly is applied, wherein the door lintel assembly is in a closed state. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an embodiment of an elevator system in which the door lintel assembly is applied, wherein the door lintel assembly is in an open state. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed schematic view showing the locking of the door lintel assembly and a cross beam in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
       
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Reference signs 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 100 
                 door lintel assembly 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 door lintel panel 
               
               
                   
                 111 
                 opening 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 first bending portion 
               
               
                   
                 112a 
                 locking mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 113 
                 second bending portion 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 display device 
               
               
                   
                 121 
                 display screen 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 rotation device 
               
               
                   
                 131 
                 first bracket 
               
               
                   
                 131a 
                 first end 
               
               
                   
                 131b 
                 second end 
               
               
                   
                 131c 
                 sliding groove 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 second bracket 
               
               
                   
                 132a 
                 first end 
               
               
                   
                 132b 
                 second end 
               
               
                   
                 132c 
                 sliding groove 
               
               
                   
                 133 
                 first link 
               
               
                   
                 133a 
                 first end 
               
               
                   
                 133b 
                 second end 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 second link 
               
               
                   
                 134a 
                 first end 
               
               
                   
                 134b 
                 second end 
               
               
                   
                 135 
                 third link 
               
               
                   
                 135a 
                 first end 
               
               
                   
                 135b 
                 second end 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 sliding block 
               
               
                   
                 137 
                 pressure cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 200 
                 elevator system 
               
               
                   
                 210 
                 car 
               
               
                   
                 211 
                 first car wall 
               
               
                   
                 212 
                 car door 
               
               
                   
                 213 
                 door lintel installation hole 
               
               
                   
                 214 
                 cross beam 
               
               
                   
                 215 
                 ceiling 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Hereinafter, the present application will be described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present application can be implemented in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided herein to make the disclosure of the present application more complete and similar, and to fully convey the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art. 
     In addition, for any single technical feature described or implied in the embodiments mentioned herein, or any single technical feature shown or implied in individual drawings, the present application still allows these technical features (or equivalents thereof) to be further arbitrarily combined or added or deleted without any technical obstacle, thereby obtaining more other embodiments of the present application that may not have been directly mentioned herein. 
     In the present application, a door lintel assembly and its application in an elevator system will be exemplarily described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 .  FIGS. 1 to 3  respectively show the structures and configurations of several embodiments of the door lintel assembly in overall schematic views, while  FIGS. 4 to 6  generally show the application of the door lintel assembly in the elevator system. The description will be elaborated as follows. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the door lintel assembly  100  includes a door lintel panel  110 , a display device  120  and a rotation device  130 . The door lintel panel  110  has an opening  111  for installing the display device  120 . After the installation is completed, the display device  120  has a display screen  121  located outside the door lintel panel  110  and electronic components located inside the door lintel panel  110 . In addition, the rotation device  130  mentioned above includes a first bracket  131  installed on both sides of the door lintel panel  110 , a second bracket  132  fixedly installed to peripheral parts of the application position, and a rotation mechanism connecting the first bracket  131  and the second bracket  132 . As a result, the rotation mechanism drives the first bracket  131  and the door lintel panel  110  to rotate relative to the peripheral parts of the application position to which the second bracket  132  is fixedly installed. With this arrangement, on the one hand, the door lintel panel  110  together with the display device  120  thereon can be opened and closed by rotating, thereby providing better protection for electronic components of the display device  120  inside the door lintel panel  110 , such as protection from dust, water or impact; on the other hand, when the present disclosure is specifically applied to the elevator, it can realize the opening and closing of the door lintel assembly inside the elevator car and the maintenance of the display device in a limited space, thus presenting a higher maintenance efficiency and operation safety. 
     The structures and connection relationships of various components of the door lintel assembly for the elevator will be introduced in combination with three embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  respectively as follows. In addition, in order to further improve the reliability, practicability, economy or other aspects, some additional components may also be added therein, which will also be exemplified below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the rotation mechanism of the door lintel assembly in this embodiment includes a first link  133 , a second link  134  and a third link  135 . A first end  133   a  of the first link  133  is hinged to a first end  131   a  of the first bracket  131 , and a second end  133   b  of the first link  133  slides in a sliding groove  132   c  provided in a length direction at a first end  132   a  of the second bracket  132 ; a first end  134   a  of the second link  134  is hinged to a second end  131   b  of the first bracket  131 , and a second end  134   b  of the second link  134  is hinged to a second end  132   b  of the second bracket  132 ; a first end  135   a  of the third link  135  is hinged to the second end  133   b  of the first link  133 , and a second end  135   b  of the third link  135  is hinged to a middle part of the second link  134 . The connection point at the middle part is such that the length from the middle part to the first end  134   a  of the second link  134  is equal to the length of the first link  133 . 
     In this case, when the opening action is performed, as shown by the solid-line arrows in the figure, the common hinge point of the second end  133   b  of the first link  133  and the first end  135   a  of the third link  135  moves downward relative to the sliding groove  132   c , so that the second end  135   b  of the third link  135  rotates clockwise and pushes the first end  134   a  of the second link  134  to rotate counterclockwise relative to the second end  135   b  of the third link  135  and the first end  134   b  of the second link  134  at the same time; finally, the rotation is transmitted to the door lintel panel  110  through the first bracket  131 , so that the door lintel panel  110  rotates clockwise as shown in a lower part of the figure and the internal electronic components of the display device  120  are exposed. 
     When the closing action is performed, as shown by the dashed-line arrows in the figure, the common hinge point of the second end  133   b  of the first link  133  and the first end  135   a  of the third link  135  moves upward relative to the sliding groove  132   c , so that the second end  135   b  of the third link  135  rotates counterclockwise and pushes the first end  134   a  of the second link  134  to rotate clockwise relative to the second end  135   b  of the third link  135  and the first end  134   b  of the second link  134  at the same time; finally, the rotation is transmitted to the door lintel panel  110  through the first bracket  131 , so that the door lintel panel  110  rotates counterclockwise as shown in the lower part of the figure and the internal electronic components of the display device  120  are concealed. 
     In addition, a sliding block  136  may be provided at the hinge point of the second end  133   b  of the first link  133  and the first end  135   a  of the third link  135 , and the sliding block  136  slides in the sliding groove  132   c . At this point, the sliding block can provide a certain self-locking effect relative to the sliding groove  132   c , so that the door lintel panel can be kept relatively locked when opened to any angle, and will rotate again when being pushed. 
     Moreover, in order to provide a more convenient maintenance process, the installation position of the display device  120  on the door lintel panel  110  may be set to be farther away from the center of rotation than the installation position of the first bracket  131  on the door lintel panel  110 . In this case, when the door lintel panel is opened, the maintenance personnel can observe and maintain the display device  120  more closely. 
     In addition, in order to improve the protective effect that the door lintel panel can provide, a first bending portion  112  toward a second side of the door lintel panel  110  may be provided at an end of the door lintel panel  110  that is away from the center of rotation. In this case, in the closed state, there is a bend relative to the surrounding parts to further reduce the intrusion of dust. At the same time, a locking mechanism  112   a  may also be provided on the first bending portion  112  to restrict a rotational movement of the door lintel panel  110  by locking. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of another door lintel assembly is shown. This embodiment has a similar structure and configuration to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , especially a similar rotation mechanism. Therefore, the rotational opening and closing process of the door lintel panel will not be further elaborated. The following will focus on the differences therebetween. 
     Specifically, in this embodiment, a motor is additionally provided, which drives the sliding block  136  to slide back and forth along the sliding groove  132   c , thereby realizing the automatic rotational opening and closing function of the door lintel assembly. In addition, a pressure cylinder  137  it also included, which is provided between the second end  131   b  of the first bracket  131  and the second end  132   b  of the second bracket  132 , so as to provide a more stable and reliable self-locking of the door lintel panel  110  at different rotational angles. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of further another door lintel assembly is shown. This embodiment has a similar partial structure and configuration to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , but there are differences in the arrangement of the rotation mechanism and the like between the two. The following will focus on the differences therebetween. 
     The rotation mechanism of the door lintel assembly in this embodiment includes a first link  133 , a second link  134  and a third link  135 . A first end  133   a  of the first link  133  slides in a sliding groove  131   c  provided in a length direction at a first end  131   a  of the first bracket  131 , and a second end  133   b  of the first link  133  is hinged to a first end  132   a  of the second bracket  132 ; a first end  134   a  of the second link  134  is hinged to a second end  131   b  of the first bracket  131 , and a second end  134   b  of the second link  134  is hinged to a second end  132   b  of the second bracket  132 ; a first end  135   a  of the third link  135  is hinged to the second end  133   b  of the first link  133 , and a second end  135   b  of the third link  135  is hinged to a middle part of the second link  134 . The connection point at the middle part is such that the length from the middle part to the first end  134   a  of the second link  134  is equal to the length of the first link  133 . 
     In this case, when the opening action is performed, as shown by the solid-line arrows in the figure, the hinge point of the first end  133   a  of the first link  133  and the first bracket  131  moves downward relative to the sliding groove  131   c , so that the second end  135   b  of the third link  135  rotates clockwise and pushes the first end  134   a  of the second link  134  to rotate counterclockwise relative to the second end  135   b  of the third link  135  and the first end  134   b  of the second link  134  at the same time; the rotation is in turn transmitted to the door lintel panel  110  through the first bracket  131 , so that the door lintel panel  110  rotates clockwise as shown in a lower part of the figure and the internal electronic components of the display device  120  are exposed. 
     When the closing action is performed, as shown by the dashed-line arrows in the figure, the hinge point of the first end  133   a  of the first link  133  and the first bracket  131  moves upward relative to the sliding groove  131   c , so that the second end  135   b  of the third link  135  rotates counterclockwise and pushes the first end  134   a  of the second link  134  to rotate clockwise relative to the second end  135   b  of the third link  135  and the first end  134   b  of the second link  134  at the same time; the rotation is in turn transmitted to the door lintel panel  110  through the first bracket  131 , so that the door lintel panel  110  rotates counterclockwise as shown in the lower part of the figure and the internal electronic components of the display device  120  are concealed. 
     In addition, a sliding block  136  may be provided at the first end  133   a  of the first link  133 , and the sliding block  136  slides in the sliding groove  131   c . At this point, the sliding block can provide a certain self-locking effect relative to the sliding groove  132   c , so that the door lintel panel can be kept relatively locked when opened to any angle, and will rotate again when being pushed. 
     Specifically, this embodiment additionally includes a pressure cylinder  137 , which is provided between the second end  131   b  of the first bracket  131  and the second end  132   b  of the second bracket  132 , so as to provide a more stable and reliable self-locking of the door lintel panel  110  at different rotational angles. 
     In the present application, an embodiment of an elevator system is also shown in combination with  FIGS. 4 to 6 . The elevator system  200  includes a car  210  and the door lintel assembly  100  described in any of the foregoing embodiments or combinations thereof. The following will focus on the installation relationships or positional relationships of various components of the door lintel assembly in the car of the elevator system. 
     Specifically, the car  210  is formed by four car walls, a ceiling  215 , and a floor in a surrounding manner A first car wall  211  has a car door  212 , and a door lintel installation hole  213  located above the car door  212 . The door lintel panel  110  of the door lintel assembly  100  will be installed in the door lintel installation hole  213 . The second bracket  132  of the door lintel assembly  100  is installed on both sides of the exterior of the first car wall  211 . In addition, the rotation mechanism of the door lintel assembly  100  drives the first bracket  131  and the door lintel panel  110  to rotate relative to the second bracket  132  and the first car wall  211 , thereby opening or closing the door lintel installation hole  213 . The elevator system under this arrangement provides better protection for the display device  120  thereof, such as protection from dust, water or impact; moreover, the opening and closing of the door lintel assembly inside the elevator car and the maintenance of the display device are realized in a limited space, thus presenting a higher maintenance efficiency and operation safety. 
     Regarding the installation of the door lintel assembly in the elevator car, there are many simple and feasible solutions, which will be exemplarily described as follows. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 5 , the second bracket  132  in this case is installed on left and right sides of the exterior of the first car wall  211 ; and the rotation mechanism  130  drives the first bracket  131  and the door lintel panel  110  to rotate upward or downward relative to the second bracket  132  and the first car wall  211 , thereby opening or closing the door lintel installation hole  213 . In this case, the center of rotation of the door lintel panel is close to an upper or lower part of the door lintel installation hole  213 , preferably close to the lower part, so that the door lintel panel can be rotated from bottom to top and opened, thus providing a convenient way of observation and maintenance. 
     Alternatively, although not shown in the figure, the second bracket  132  may also be installed on upper and lower sides of the exterior of the first car wall  211 ; and the rotation mechanism  130  drives the first bracket  131  and the door lintel panel  110  to rotate leftward or rightward relative to the second bracket  132  and the first car wall  211 , thereby opening or closing the door lintel installation hole  213 . In this case, the center of rotation of the door lintel panel  110  is close to a left or right part of the door lintel installation hole  213 , so that the door lintel panel can be rotated from left to right or from right to left and opened, thus providing a convenient way of observation and maintenance. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , in the illustrated embodiment, the first car wall  211  may also be provided with a cross beam  214  between the car door  212  and the door lintel installation hole  213 , and the door lintel panel  110  is provided with a first bending portion  112  toward the second side of the door lintel panel  110  at an end away from the center of rotation. When the door lintel panel  110  is rotated so that the door lintel installation hole  213  is closed, the first bending portion  112  covers a lower part of the cross beam  214 . At this point, in the closed state, there is a bend relative to the surrounding parts to further reduce the intrusion of dust. At the same time, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a locking mechanism  112   a  may also be provided on the first bending portion  112 , and a locking mechanism  112   a  is correspondingly provided on the cross beam  214 , so as to restrict a rotational movement of the door lintel panel  110  by locking. 
     In addition, in order to provide better locking stability, the first bending portion  112  may be further provided with a second bending portion  113  at a first end away from the door lintel panel  110 . When the door lintel panel  110  is rotated so that the door lintel installation hole  213  is closed, the second bending portion  113  snap-fits with and covers the exterior of the cross beam  214 . At this point, in the closed state, the second bending portion  113  will snap-fit with the exterior of the cross beam  214 . If the door lintel panel  110  needs to opened by rotating, a force needs to be exerted on the door lintel panel  110  first to pull the entire door lintel panel  110  down to cause a small amount of deformation or displacement thereof so that the second bending portion  113  is pulled down from the exterior of the cross beam  214  and disengages from the snap-fit state; then the entire door lintel panel  110  is rotated. 
     Furthermore, regarding the pressure cylinder already mentioned in the above door lintel assembly, when it is installed in the elevator system, a connection position thereof may also be adjusted; for example, it can be arranged between the door lintel panel and the first car wall, so as to provide a more stable and reliable self-locking of the door lintel panel  110  at different rotational angles. 
     In the above examples, the door lintel assembly for an elevator and the elevator system of the present application are mainly described. Although only some of the embodiments of the present application have been described, those skilled in the art should understand that the present application may be implemented in many other forms without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the illustrated examples and embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and the present application may cover various modifications and replacements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.