Field of the invention
The invention is related to elevators and in particular to elevator electrification systems.
Description of prior art
Current machine room less elevators have large and complex control cabinets containing electrification and electrical control parts of the elevator. For the ex-ecution of elevator emergency and test operations, the control cabinet may also contain an emergency and test panel.
Normally this control cabinet is mounted to top most landing, in connection with elevator landing door frame. Space requirement of the large control cabinet is a design challenge. From safety point of view, the large control cabinet may also be a target for vandalism, for example.
Thus, in view of one or more of the above-identified drawbacks there is a need of improvements for elevator electrification systems.
Object of the invention
The object of the invention is to introduce an elevator and a portable user inter-face to remedy at least partially at least one of the above-identified drawbacks.
Brief description of the invention
First aspect of the invention is an elevator comprising an elevator shaft defined by the surrounding structure, a plurality of landings, an elevator car movable in the elevator shaft, the elevator car adapted to transport passengers and / or cargo be-

tween the landings, a drive unit adapted to drive the elevator car, the drive unit being disposed in the elevator shaft, an elevator controller for controlling elevator car movement in accordance with service requests, the elevator controller being disposed in the elevator shaft, and a lockable housing disposed within the land¬ing. The lockable housing is configured for accommodating a user interface for emergency and test operations, and for establishing a communication link be¬tween the elevator controller and the user interface.
When the elevator controller is transferred from landing to the elevator shaft such that only a lockable housing for the user interface remains within the landing, elevator electrification can be simplified. Term "elevator controller" means here the control entity that is connected to shaft and landing signalization, such as landing call units and landing door contacts. To make the solution even simpler, elevator controller can be integrated with the drive unit, i.e. to the power supply device (such as a frequency converter) of the drive motor. Because the traditional large control cabinet is no more needed within the landing area, space require¬ment problems and safety problems related to the traditional large control cabi¬nets can be solved.
According to a preferred embodiment, the user interface is a portable user inter¬face. The lockable housing is configured for establishing a communication link between the elevator controller and the portable user interface, when the portable user interface is present in the lockable housing. This can mean that it is possible to give emergency and / or test commands through the portable user interface only when the portable user interface is present in the lockable housing, which enhances elevator safety.
Second aspect of the invention is a portable user interface for emergency and test operations. The portable user interface is adapted to be accommodated to a lock-able housing of an elevator according to the first aspect of the invention.
According to a preferred embodiment, the lockable housing is located in landing door frame. In an alternative embodiment, the lockable housing is mounted to a wall within the landing.

According to an embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the lockable housing comprises a light source, to illuminate the user interface.
The user interface means here the interface that is configured for inputting ma-nual commands for one or more emergency and test operations, such as manual rescue drive command and / or tests of traction, safety gear, buffer, ascending car overspeed protection means, unintended car movement protection, rupture valve, restrictor, pawl device, cushioned stop, pressure etc..
The user interface may comprise one or more manual input elements, such as button(s), keyboard, keypad, touch screen for giving user input, the user interface may also comprise one or more output devices, such as display, loudspeaker, touch screen, etc., for outputting information.
According to a preferred embodiment, the user interface comprises a communica¬tion circuit.
According to a preferred embodiment, the lockable housing comprises a data connector for establishing a communication link between the elevator controller and the portable user interface.
According to an embodiment, alternatively or additionally, the communication circuit is for wireless communication.
According to an embodiment, alternatively or additionally, the communication link is a wireless communication link.
According to an embodiment, alternatively or additionally, the lockable housing comprises a presence sensor for detecting presence of the portable user interface in the lockable housing. The presence sensor is communicatively connected to the elevator controller.
According to an embodiment, the elevator controller is configured to permit a communication link between the elevator controller and the portable user inter-face, when the presence sensor indicates that the portable user interface is present in the lockable housing. This can mean that it is possible to give emergency and /

or test commands through the portable user interface only when the portable user interface is present in the lockable housing, which enhances elevator safety.
According to an embodiment, alternatively or additionally, the elevator controller is configured to permit at least one emergency and / or test operation, when the presence sensor indicates that the portable user interface is present in the lockable housing. This can mean that it is possible to give emergency and / or test com¬mands through the portable user interface only when the portable user interface is present in the lockable housing, which enhances elevator safety.
According to a preferred embodiment, the elevator controller is disposed in the elevator shaft at the same location with the drive unit.
According to a preferred embodiment, the portable user interface comprises a data connector counterpart for connecting to the data connector in the lockable housing.
According to an alternative embodiment, the elevator comprises a user interface for emergency and test operations, which user interface is permanently accom¬modated in the lockable housing, and connected to the elevator controller through a communication link. This can mean that the user interface may be installed into the lockable housing already in the factory, and thus it doesn't have to be porta¬ble.
The foregoing summary, as well as the additional features and advantages pre-sented below, will be better understood from the following description of embo¬diments non-restrictive of the scope of application of the invention.
Brief description of the figures
Fig. 1 shows an elevator according to an exemplary embodiment.
Fig. 2 illustrates disposal of a lockable housing within a landing of an eleva¬tor of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates accommodation of portable user interface in the lockable housing of fig. 2.
Fig. 4 illustrates accommodation of portable user interface in the lockable housing according to an alternative embodiment.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention
Figure 1 shows schematically an elevator according to an exemplary embodi-ment. The elevator comprises an elevator shaft 1 defined by the surrounding structure, e.g. walls and top and bottom end terminals. Along the elevator shaft 1 there are plurality of landings 2. An elevator car 3, is movable in the elevator shaft 1 between the landings 2, and can be stopped to the landings 2, to transport passengers and / or cargo between the landings 2. Elevator also has a counter-weight 20, which moves in elevator shaft 1, in opposite direction to the elevator car 3. In some alternative embodiments elevator may be implemented without a counterweight 20.
The elevator further comprises a drive unit. Drive unit comprises a drive motor 4b, such as a permanent magnet synchronous motor, reluctance motor, induction motor etc., which provides driving torque to drive the elevator car 3. Drive unit comprises also power controller 4a of the drive motor 4b. Power controller 4a supplies electrical power from a power supply, such as from the power grid 21, to the windings of the drive motor. Power controller 4a may be a frequency conver¬ter. Drive unit 4a, 4b is disposed in the elevator shaft 1.
The elevator also comprises an elevator controller 5. Elevator controller 5 is dis¬posed in elevator shaft 1, preferably at the same location with power controller 4a of the drive unit, most preferably elevator controller 5 is integrated with the pow¬er controller 4a. Elevator controller 5 contains processing means required for con¬trolling elevator car 3 movement in accordance with service requests, which pas¬sengers generate through the call-giving devices, e.g. landing call units, car call panels, mobile devices etc., as is known in the art. Elevator controller 5 also con-

tains communication circuits and interfaces for connecting to shaft and landing signalization. Elevator controller 5 is connected for example to the landing call units and landing door contacts, and via travelling cable to the control unit 22 mounted to the elevator car 3, i.e. car control unit 22. Car control unit 22 may also form part of the elevator controller 5. Communication between landing call units and elevator controller 5, as well as between car control unit 22 and eleva¬tor controller 5 may be implemented with suitable networking technology, such as with Ethernet, Lon or Can, RS-485 etc. technology.
In the elevator of fig. 1, a lockable housing 6 is disposed within one of the land-ings 2, preferably at the top most landing 2. Most preferably, the lockable housing 6 is located in landing door frame 16 of the landing door of top most landing, as illustrated in fig. 2. Alternatively, the lockable housing 6 may be mounted to landing wall, for example. Lockable housing 6 may comprise a door provided with locking means. Locking of the door then prevents unauthorized access into the housing 6. Locking of the housing 6 may be implemented with any suitable locking means, such as with a mechanical lock or an electrical lock. The lockable housing 6 is configured for accommodating a user interface 7 for emergency and test operations.
The user interface 7 has one or more input elements for inputting manual com-mands for emergency and test operations, such as manual rescue drive command and / or tests of traction, safety gear, buffer, ascending car overspeed protection means, unintended car movement protection, rupture valve, restrictor, pawl de¬vice, cushioned stop, pressure etc.. The one or more input elements may comprise at least one of button(s), keyboard, keypad and touch screen. The user interface 7 may also comprise one or more output elements. The one or more output ele¬ments may comprise at least one of a display, a loudspeaker and a touch screen, for outputting information.
In a preferred embodiment, the user interface 7 is a portable user interface. In an alternative embodiment, the user interface 7 is permanently accommodated in the lockable housing 6 (for example installed in the housing 6 already in factory).

The lockable housing 6 is configured for establishing a communication link 8 between the elevator controller 5 and the user interface 7. Thus the lockable hous¬ing may be provided with constructional features and / or components, which enable communication between the user interface 7 and elevator controller 5. Lockable housing may comprise a lead-through for communication cable, which runs from the lockable housing 6 to the elevator controller 5. As depicted in fig¬ure 3, the lockable housing 6 may comprise a data connector 10a, which is con¬nected to a communication cable, which runs from the lockable housing 6 to the elevator controller 5. The portable user interface 7 may have a connector counter¬part 10b. When the portable user interface 7 is present in the lockable housing 6, the connector counterpart 10b meets the data connector 10a and a communication link 8 is established between the elevator controller 5 and the user interface 7. This way it may be ensured that serviceman is within landing area 2 and thus out¬side of elevator shaft 1, when performing the emergency / test operation, and there is no risk or injury because of moving elevator car. The user interface 7, either permanently installed or portable, may comprise a communication circuit 9 for serial or parallel data bus communication, such as Ethernet, Lon, Can, Uart, RS-485 or corresponding serial data circuit.
Alternatively, the communication link 8 between the portable user interface 7 and elevator controller 5 may be a wireless commumcation link, utilizing any suitable wireless communication technology, such as wlan, Bluetooth, etc.. In this case the portable user interface 7 may comprise a communication circuit 9 for imple¬menting the wireless communication.
As depicted in figure 4, the lockable housing 6 may be configured for establishing a wireless communication link 8 between the elevator controller 5 and the porta¬ble user interface 7, when the portable user interface 7 is present in the lockable housing 6. The lockable housing 6 may comprise a presence sensor 11 for detect¬ing presence of the portable user interface 7 in the lockable housing 6. The pres¬ence sensor 11 may be a proximity sensor, such as a reed switch 11, which reacts to a magnet 12 in the portable user interface 7. The presence sensor 11 may also

be a switch or a button which changes switching state when pushed against the portable user interface 7. The presence sensor 11 is communicatively connected, e.g. wired, to the elevator controller 5. The elevator controller 5 may be confi¬gured to permit a wireless communication link 8 between the elevator controller 5 and the portable user interface 7, when the presence sensor 11 indicates that the portable user interface 7 is present in the lockable housing 6. Alternatively or additionally, the elevator controller 5 may be configured to permit at least one emergency and / or test operation, when the presence sensor 11 indicates that the portable user interface 7 is present in the lockable housing 6. Thus it may be en¬sured that serviceman is within landing area 2 and thus outside of elevator shaft 1, when performing the emergency / test operation.
The lockable housing 6 may also contain a light source, such as a led light, to illuminate the user interface 7 present in the lockable housing 6.
The invention has been described above by referring to a few embodiment exam¬ples. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not exclusive¬ly limited to the examples described above, but that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the claims.

CLAIMS
1. An elevator comprising:
an elevator shaft (1) defined by the surrounding structure,
- a plurality of landings (2),
- an elevator car (3) movable in the elevator shaft (1), the elevator car adapted to transport passengers and / or cargo between the landings (2),
- a drive unit (4a, 4b) adapted to drive the elevator car (3), the drive unit (4a, 4b) being disposed in the elevator shaft (1),
- an elevator controller (5) for controlling elevator car (3) move-ment in accordance with service requests, the elevator controller (5) being disposed in the elevator shaft (1),
- a lockable housing (6) disposed within the landing (2),
wherein the lockable housing (6) is configured
for accommodating a user interface (7) for emergency and test oper¬ations, and
for establishing a communication link (8) between the elevator con¬troller (5) and the user interface (7).
2. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the user interface (7) is a porta¬
ble user interface,
and wherein the lockable housing 6 is configured for establishing a communi¬cation link (8) between the elevator controller (5) and the portable user inter¬face (7), when the portable user interface (7) is present in the lockable hous¬ing (6).
3. The elevator according to claim 2, wherein the lockable housing (6) com¬
prises a data connector (10a) for establishing a communication link (8) be¬
tween the elevator controller (5) and the portable user interface (7).

4. The elevator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the communication link (8) is a wireless communication link.
5. The elevator according to any of claims 2-4, wherein the lockable housing (6) comprises a presence sensor (11) for detecting presence of the portable user interface (7) in the lockable housing (6), which presence sensor (11) is communicatively connected to the elevator controller (5).
6. The elevator according to claim 5, wherein the elevator controller (5) is configured to permit a communication link (8) between the elevator controller (5) and the portable user interface (7), when the presence sensor (11) indicates that the portable user interface (7) is present in the lockable housing (6).
7. The elevator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the elevator controller (5) is configured to permit at least one emergency and / or test operation, when the presence sensor (11) indicates that the portable user interface (7) is present in the lockable housing (6).
8. The elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevator controller (5) is disposed in the elevator shaft (1) at the same location with the drive unit (4a, 4b).
9. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the elevator comprises a user interface (7) for emergency and test operations, which user interface (7) is permanently accommodated in the lockable housing (6), and connected to the elevator controller (5) through a communication link (8).
10. A portable user interface (7) for emergency and test operations,
wherein the portable user interface (7) is adapted to be accommodated to a lockable housing (6) of an elevator according to any of claims 2-8.
11. The portable user interface according to claim 10, wherein the portable
user interface (7) comprises a data connector counterpart (10b) for connecting
to the data connector (10a) according to claim 3.

12. The portable user interface according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the port¬able user interface (7) comprises a communication circuit (9).
13. The portable user interface according to claim 12, wherein the communi¬cation circuit (9) is for wireless communication.