CALL PANEL FOR AN ELEVATOR
The object of the invention is a call panel for an elevator
as defined in the preamble of claim 1 .
An elevator call is most usually given with call pushbuttons,
e.g. with pushbuttons on which a direction arrow or floor
number or other symbol is marked.
The aim of the present invention is to improve the clarity as
well as the usability of an elevator panel.
The characteristic features with regard to a call panel
according to the invention are referred to in the claims.
The call panel applying the invention comprises an
essentially planar front surface and a center panel bounding
the front surface and a call pushbutton separate from the
center panel and belonging to the front surface. Essentially
planar means in this context that to the passenger the
surfaces of the parts of the panel are, when inspected
visually, parallel and that no significant thresholds are
felt when touching the borders of the parts. The invention is
primarily applied in an implementation of a landing call
device for an elevator.
Preferably the center panel is a display panel, comprising a
display device able to display at least one alphanumeric or
other symbol or graphical information.
By disposing the call pushbuttons above or below the center
panel according to whether an up call pushbutton or down c a l l
pushbutton is in question, an intuitive understanding for the
user about the purpose of the pushbuttons is achieved without
separate guidance. Conventionally, an arrow figure or
corresponding is used in up pushbuttons and down call
pushbuttons as a user guide. In practical situations the
position of the pushbutton can replace, or at least reinfc
the guidance to be obtained from an arrow figure.
The information brought to a user by a call panel becomes
clearer when the panel is presented to the user as just a
center panel containing a possible call panel and as call
pushbuttons. Preferably the center panel has information
about the floor on which the call panel is situated. The
display of the center panel can present information about
calls and about the movement of the elevator.
Pressing a call pushbutton produces movement between the
center panel and the call pushbutton. Limits are arranged for
the relative movement as also is returning in the structure
of the call panel. Preferably pressing a call pushbutton
causes folding of the call pushbutton in relation to the
plane of the center panel, which is arranged by hinging the
center panel and a call pushbutton to each other either
directly or via a support structure. Just a slight folding of
a call pushbutton maintains the impression given to the user
of preserving an unbroken front surface of the call panel but
nevertheless gives an impression that the call pushbutton
responds when giving a call.
The gap that is on the edges of the call panel, between the
pushbuttons and the frame of the call panel, and that is
visible to the exterior is preferably protected from
penetration with an obstructing structure formed in the gap.
This structure preventing penetration can be in only a part
of the length of the gap visible outwards or more preferably
can extend for the whole length of the gap. A preferred
preventive structure is toothing, on the frame of the call
panel or on a pushbutton of the call panel or on both o f
these, extending into the gap. By making the toothing
alternate in such a way that the teeth interleave in the gap,
the gap can be made to be in practice closed.
In the following, the invention will be described in detail
with reference to the attached drawings, wherein
Fig. 1 presents a front view of a call panel applying the
invention,
Fig. 2 presents a front view of a second call panel applying
the invention,
Fig. 3 presents the call panel of Fig. 1 , as viewed from the
front and right,
Fig. 4 further presents a call panel applying the invention,
as viewed from the front and right,
Fig. 5 shows a wall fastener of a call panel,
Fig. 6 presents a call panel when partly opened,
Fig. 7 shows a call panel when partly equipped,
and
Fig. 8 shows a pushbutton of a call panel.
In the embodiments of Figs. 1-4 of the drawings the center
panel of the call panel is dark and the call pushbuttons
above and below the center panel are lighter. On the call
pushbuttons is an arrow figure, either an up arrow or a down
arrow. In the center part in Figs. 1 , 2 and 3 is a display,
on which is presented with a direction arrow the direction of
travel of the elevator and with alphanumerical marks the
floor information. Depending on the properties of the
display, also other information can also be presented with
the display. The call panels of Figs. 1 , 3 and 4 are
primarily intended as call panels of individual elevators,
but they are suited for use also as call panels o f an
elevator group of two or more elevators. The call panel of
Fig. 2 is more particularly intended to be the call panel of
a group of two elevators. In the call panel of Fig. 2 the
display is arranged to present two different sets of floor
and direction data of the elevator. By arranging the display
differently or with another type of display than that
presented in the figure, the call panel of the figure can b e
applied more generally also than in groups of two elevators.
In the call panel of Fig. 4 the center panel does not have a
display device.
Fig. 5 shows a wall fastener of the call panel. Preferably
the wall fastener is fabricated from metal plate. Shapes that
protrude from the plane of the plate and increase rigidity
can be made in it by pressing or bending. The wall fastener
101 comprises hook-shaped support parts 103, supported by
which the actual frame of the call panel is suspended. A
preferred method for forming a wall fastener is to fabricate
it from one piece of plate, in which case the support parts
are the same piece as it, and bent to protrude at the edges
of the plate piece outwards from the wall. Likewise the wall
fastener comprises a locking detent 102, to which the frame
of the call panel is fixed with a fixing screw or with
another suitable locking means or fixing means. The wall
fastener preferably also comprises one or more holes or an
edge slot from which the wall fastener can be fixed to the
wall with a screw fixing or corresponding. The wall fastener
preferably also comprises at least one hole, a signal
conductor or other interface or signal conductors can b e
brought into the call panel. Preferably the wall fastener
also comprises holes receiving the protrusions of the frame
of the call panel or components fixed to the frame or giving
space to these.
Fig. 6 shows the call panel without the lower pushbutton and
Fig. 7 the frame 104 of the call panel partly equipped with
the components to be connected to it. Fig. 8 shows a rear
view of a pushbutton of the call panel.
The frame 104 of the call panel fixes to the support parts
103 by means of the countershapes 105 formed in the frame.
The frame comprises a threaded hole 106, into which comes a
fixing screw gripping to the locking detent 102 of the wall
fastener 101. The locking between the wall fastener and the
frame of the call panel can be done otherwise, e.g. with a
snap-on joint, which can be opened via the hole 106, in which
case the hole does not need to be threaded.
The center panel 107 and the pushbuttons 108 are connected to
the frame 104 of the call panel. The front surfaces of the
center panel and of the pushbuttons are on essentially the
same plane. On the pushbuttons there is preferably a
direction arrow or other marking indicating the purpose of
the pushbutton, e.g. for an up call there is an upwardpointing,
more or less stylized arrow figure 109. Preferably
the arrow figure or other marking is translucent through the
pushbutton and it can be illuminated with a luminaire 110 to
be disposed in the frame. The luminaire 110 can be resolved
in many ways. The luminaire seen in Figs. 6 and 7 comprises
as its base part a photoconductive plate piece, which is
shaped to radiate light primarily from its edges, and a
photodiode 111 (LED) supplying light into the plate piece
110.
The center panel 107 is visually distinguishable from the
pushbuttons. The center panel can itself form the display or
more preferably the center panel 107 is a transparent
structure, possibly darkened or shaded, behind which is a
separate display device 112. Preferably also an internal
control unit 113 of the call panel is in connection with or
in the position of the display device, which control unit is
in connection with the rest o f the elevator system. The
control unit 113, display device 112 and other electrical or
electronic components of the call panel are disposed and
connected on a circuit board 114, which is supported in its
position on the frame 104 of the call panel. On the circuit
board 114 is also a sound source 115, preferably a
loudspeaker, with which information relating to the operation
of the elevator, e.g. an arrival at floor ring or even verbal
information, is given. In addition, the sound source can be
used to give a feedback sound about the pressing of a
pushbutton.
The pushbuttons 108 are, at their center panel end, hinged to
the center panel 107 or to the frame 104 with a hinge
arrangement 117a, 117b in the proximity of the juncture line
of the center panel 107 and the pushbutton 108. The
pushbutton 104 comprises holding claws 118, which grip detent
points in the frame 104 and limit the pushbutton from folding
around its hinging outwards from the p lane o f the center
panel 107. Support pillars 119 on the pushbutton when they
meet the frame limit the folding o f the pushbutton when the
pushbutton is pressed. Movement o f the pushbutton 108 is
supported and sprung with a spring 120. In connection with
the spring 120 is a sensor, e.g. a switch, which indicates
pressing of the pushbutton. The sensor can be disposed
otherwise than in connection with the spring.
The center panel 107 and the pushbuttons 108 are configured
to extend over the frame 104 of the call panel 104 in such a
way that as viewed directly from the front the frame is
covered behind them. Preferably at least the center panel
covers, even more preferably also a pushbutton covers, at
least to some extent, the sides o f the frame, in which case
the gap 12 2 between the front surface o f the call panel .and
the frame is difficult to penetrate. Owing to the play
between the frame 104 and the pushbutton 108, the gap between
them is difficult to close, at least if the aim is to even
approximate the same visual appearance as at the point of
connection of the frame 107 and the center panel.
Interleaving toothing 121a, 121b is fitted in the gap 122
between the frame 104 and a pushbutton 108. The teeth 121a of
the frame 104 of the call panel and the teeth 121b o f a
pushbutton 108 alternate in the gap 122 between the frame 104
and a pushbutton 108, effectively preventing penetration of
the gap and thus protecting the call panel from being damaged
and also from dirt. Suitably shaping and dimensioning the
tee-th on the edges of these pieces, the teeth can also
function as reinforcing ribbing of the edges. Preferably the
teeth are disposed to some extent inwards from the outer edge
of the call panel. Likewise, preferably the teeth are
disposed so close to the outer edge of the call panel that
obtaining a proper grip under the edge of a pushbutton, e.g.
with a fingernail, is difficult.
Presented in the examples are embodiments in which both an up
call pushbutton and a down call pushbutton connect to the
center panel. The call panel according to the invention can
be implemented also in such a way that only either the up
call pushbutton or down call pushbutton .is connected to the
center panel.
The invention is described above using examples with the aid
of the attached drawings with different embodiments of the
invention being possible within the scope of the inventive
concept defined by the claims.
CLAIMS
1 . Call panel for an elevator, said call panel comprising an
essentially planar front surface, characterized in that the
call panel comprises a center panel bounding the front
surface, and at least one call pushbutton separate from the
center panel and belonging to the front surface.
2 . Call panel according to claim 1 , characterized in that the
center panel is a display panel, comprising a display device
able to display at least one alphanumeric or other symbol or
graphical information.
3 . Call panel according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in
that the call panel is a landing call device.
4 . Call panel according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the call panel comprises at least one
of the following: an up call pushbutton above the center
panel, a down call pushbutton below the center panel .
5 . Call panel according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the front surfaces of the center panel
and of the call pushbuttons form the front surface of the
call panel .
6 . Call panel according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a call pushbutton is arranged to fold
in relation to the plane of the center panel.
7 . Call panel according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that movement between the center panel and a
call pushbutton is arranged as a response to the pressing of
a call pushbutton.
8 . Call panel according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the center panel and a call pushbutton
are hinged to each other directly or via a support structure.
9 . Call panel according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a structure preventing penetration is
fitted in the gap that is between a pushbutton of the call
panel and the frame of the call panel and that is visible to
the exterior.
10. Call panel according to claim 9 , characterized in that
the structure preventing penetration is toothing, on the
frame of the call panel or on a pushbutton of the call panel
or on both of these, said toothing extending into the gap.
11. Call panel according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that in the gap that is between a pushbutton
of the call panel and the frame of the call panel and that is
visible to the exterior is toothing, which is composed of
teeth on the frame and of teeth on the pushbutton.
12. Call panel according to claim 11, characterized in that
the teeth on the frame and the teeth on a pushbutton are
arranged to alternately interleave.