JP7591382B2 - Button pressing assistance unit for elevator control panel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a button pressing assistance unit for an elevator operation panel that is removably attached to an elevator operation panel having buttons and that presses the buttons.

Typically, when getting on or off an elevator, a person presses buttons on an elevator control panel located at the elevator hall or inside the elevator car with their fingers. Such elevator control panels are configured as contact-type control panels.

However, in recent years, in order to reduce the risk of infection, there has been a demand for a way to call an elevator, open and close the doors, specify the destination floor, etc., without having to touch and press the buttons on the elevator control panel with one's fingers.

In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called non-contact (touchless) elevator operating device that is configured to allow buttons to be operated without a person touching the buttons. In Patent Document 1, the device is configured to detect the presence of the user's fingers using multiple sensors to detect operation.

JP 2015-151253 A

If the contact-type control panel installed in existing elevators is to be made contactless, it is necessary to replace it with a contactless control panel, which entails the problem of time and effort required for the construction work.

In addition, the replacement work must be requested from the manufacturer of the elevator's operating device, meaning that the manufacturer's convenience will take priority in terms of delivery time and price, which is a concern as it could cause delays or obstacles to implementation.

In addition, because elevator control methods and control board specifications are expected to differ depending on the manufacturer, simply replacing the control panels installed in existing elevators will not be able to be widely deployed, making it difficult to meet societal needs such as the rapid expansion of infection control measures.

In particular, for elevators that are operated by an unspecified number of people in public places, contactless operation is expected to be an effective infection control measure.

In light of the above, the present invention proposes a new technology that can be retrofitted to existing elevator control panels and enables contactless operation.

The problem that the present invention aims to solve is as described above, and the means for solving this problem will be explained next.

According to one aspect of the present invention,
A button pressing auxiliary unit for an elevator operation panel that is detachably attached to an elevator operation panel having buttons and presses the buttons,
a button pressing mechanism including a pressing body disposed opposite the button and pressing the button, and a pressing unit for positioning the pressing body at a pressing position for pressing the button and at a retreat position;
a receiving unit for receiving a signal identifying a button to be pressed;
The button pressing auxiliary unit for an elevator operation panel includes at least a controller that controls the button pressing mechanism based on a signal received by the receiving unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention,
The button lights up when pressed and goes out when the purpose for which the button was pressed is achieved.
The receiving unit receives a signal from the automated guided vehicle,
The button pressing assistance unit for an elevator operation panel includes a detection unit that detects when a button goes from illuminated to unilluminated,
When the detection unit detects that the button is turned off, the controller sends a light-off signal to the automated guided vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention,
The pressing body is provided with a window portion facing the button,
The window portion is configured as a through-hole portion.
Or,
The window portion is to be configured to be closed with a transparent plate material.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a button pressing assistance unit that can be retrofitted to existing elevator control panels and allows for contactless operation can be realized. As it can be retrofitted, it is highly versatile and is expected to be widely applicable regardless of the type of elevator manufacturer, and can quickly respond to social needs as an effective infection control measure.

Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize movement between floors by self-propelled automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, while still allowing conventional contact-based operation, it is also possible to additionally allow non-contact operation.

1A is a diagram showing an example of an elevator installed in a building, various facilities, a residential apartment, etc. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of an automatic guided vehicle that transports goods, etc., moving between floors in a factory, etc. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a button pressing assistance unit. 1A is a diagram showing a pressing body and a pressing unit constituting a button pressing mechanism, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a state in which electricity is not applied to the button pressing mechanism, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a state in which electricity is applied to the button pressing mechanism. 1A is a diagram showing the button pressing mechanism and the arrangement of the buttons, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing non-contact operation of the buttons with a finger, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing how the lamp continues to light up after the button is operated. 1A is a diagram showing an elevator operation panel in a car, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the arrangement of a button pressing mechanism, and FIG. 1C is a diagram explaining a unit main body. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining how buttons are viewed through a window in the unit body. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of movement of an automated guided vehicle between floors. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of movement of an automated guided vehicle between floors.

Figure 1(A) shows an example of an elevator installed in a building, various facilities, residential apartments, etc., where an elevator control panel 2A is installed on the wall of the elevator hall 2 and is operated appropriately by users on each floor.

An elevator control panel 4A is also installed on the wall inside the elevator car 4 and is operated as appropriate by users riding in the car 4.

Figure 1(B) shows an example of an elevator that moves an automatic guided vehicle 30 (AGV: Automatic Guided Vehicle) that transports goods, etc., between floors in a factory, etc., and, as will be described in detail later, operation of elevator operation panels 2A, 4A is realized by communication with the automatic guided vehicle 30.

The button pressing assistance units 20, 40 of the present invention are retrofitted to the existing elevators shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B) as described above.

Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a button pressing assistance unit 20 that is retrofitted to an elevator control panel 2A that is provided on the wall of an elevator hall. Multiple buttons 3 are arranged on the elevator control panel 2A, and are pressed by the user's fingers. Note that the number of buttons 3 varies depending on the use of the elevator control panel, and it is assumed that there may be one button 3 or multiple buttons 3.

The button pressing auxiliary unit 20 has a pressing body 21 that faces the button 3 on the elevator operation panel 2A, and a pressing unit 22 that positions the pressing body 21 in the pressing position and the waiting position, and the pressing body 21 and the pressing unit 22 form a button pressing mechanism 23.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3(A), the pressing body 21 has a rectangular frame body 21a and a window portion 21b surrounded by the frame body 21a, which faces the button 3. This allows the button 3 to be seen from the outside through the window portion 21b. The window portion 21b acts as a through-hole that physically exposes a portion of the button 3, and can also be visually exposed while being closed by a transparent plate material.

As shown in FIG. 3A, pin-shaped engagement parts 21c, 21c are provided on the left and right sides of the frame body 21a, and each engagement part 21c, 21c is engaged with an engagement hole 22c, 22c provided in the frame body 22a of the pressing unit 22 so as to be movable in the button pressing direction.

As shown in Figure 2 and Figures 3 (A) and (B), the frame body 22a of the pressing unit 22 is configured in a rectangular frame shape and defines a through window 22b, and the frame body 21a of the pressing body 21 is accommodated within this through window 22b so as to surround it.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the pressing unit 22 is provided with a driving mechanism 24 for moving the frame 21a of the pressing body 21 in the pressing direction F1. In this embodiment, the driving mechanism 24 is composed of wire-shaped deformable bodies 24a, 24a made of biometal that contracts when electricity is applied, contracts when the switch 51 is activated and electricity is applied, and returns to its original state when electricity is removed.

By constructing the drive mechanism 24 from biometal as in this embodiment, the drive mechanism 24 can be made thinner and more space-saving compared to mechanisms that use motors, cylinders, etc.

As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), the middle part of the wire-shaped deformation body 24a abuts against the convex parts 21d provided on the left and right sides of the frame body 21a of the pressing body 21, and when the deformation body 24a is energized and contracts, the convex parts 21d are pressed in the pressing direction F1. When the convex parts 21d are pressed in this way, the pressing body 21 moves in the pressing direction F1, resulting in the state shown in Figure 3(C).

As shown in FIG. 4(A), the pressing body 21 is positioned in a retracted position where the button 3 is not pressed. In this embodiment, the pressing body 21 is normally biased in the counter pressing direction F2 by the elastic body 21e to be positioned in the retracted position, but the elastic body 21e may be omitted. Furthermore, in the retracted position where the button 3 is not pressed, the pressing body 21 may be spaced from the button 3 or may be in contact with the button 3.

When the switch 51 is actuated to operate the drive mechanism 24, the deformation body 24a presses the pressing body 21 against the biasing force of the elastic body 21e, and as shown in FIG. 4(B), the pressing body 21 moves in the pressing direction F1 and is positioned at the pressing position. In this state, the frame body 21a of the pressing body 21 abuts against the surface of the button 3, pressing the button 3. Note that the button 3 is normally biased in the counter-pressing direction F2 by the elastic body 3e and is positioned at the non-pressing position.

As shown in FIG. 4(B), in the elevator operation panel 2A, a lamp 52 such as an LED is turned on when a button 3 is pressed. A part or the whole of the button 3 is translucent, and the light emitted by the lamp 52 passes through the button 3 and is visible to the user.

Button 3 (lamp 52) is controlled to remain lit until the purpose for which button 3 was pressed is achieved, and to turn off when the purpose is achieved. For example, if button 3 is pressed in order to move to the fifth floor, the light turns on when button 3 is pressed, and lamp 52 turns off when the fifth floor is reached.

The pressing body 21 of the button pressing mechanism 23 is provided with a light detection unit 21m for detecting the illumination and extinguishing of the lamp 52. With this light detection unit 21m, for example, when the lamp 52 for a certain button goes out, it can be detected that the purpose of operating that button has been achieved. For example, when a button is pressed to move to the fifth floor, it lights up, and then goes out, it can be detected that the fifth floor has been reached. The light detection unit 21m can be configured, for example, with a light sensor that detects the presence or absence of illumination.

The pressing body 21 of the button pressing mechanism 23 is provided with a non-contact sensor 21n for recognizing the presence of a finger U, and when the finger U approaches the pressing body 21, the presence of the finger U can be detected without contact. The non-contact sensor 21n can be configured, for example, as an infrared sensor.

As shown in FIG. 3(A), the light detection unit 21m and the non-contact sensor 21n may be provided on the frame 21 of the pressing body 21, or on the frame 22a of the pressing unit 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the button pressing mechanism 23 is housed in a panel-shaped unit body 20A. On the back side of the unit body 20A, multiple storage sections 26a for storing the button pressing mechanisms 23 are formed in accordance with the arrangement of each button 3 on the elevator operation panel 2A. Each storage section 26a has a window section 26b that penetrates the unit body 20A in the thickness direction, and users can see each button 3 through each window section 26b.

The unit body 20A can be attached to the surface of the existing elevator operation panel 2A using, for example, a magnet or tape. The unit body 20A can be wireless by incorporating a battery, or it can be configured to take in an external power source.

The unit body 20A is provided with a receiving unit 27 that receives a signal identifying the button to be pressed, and a controller 28 that controls the button pressing mechanism 23 based on the signal received by the receiving unit 27.

The signal received by the receiving unit 27 is, for example, a signal intended to press the upper floor button 3 in the example of FIG. 2. This signal is, for example, a signal output from the non-contact sensor 21n when the non-contact sensor 21n detects the presence of a finger U, as shown in FIG. 4(B). This signal corresponds to the attributes of the button (destination floor, door open, door closed, upper floor, lower floor, etc.) at the location where each non-contact sensor 21n is located.

The receiving unit 27 can receive signals from the non-contact sensor 21n (Fig. 4(B)), and can also receive audio signals by equipping it with an audio microphone. Furthermore, by providing a communication function, it can receive signals from the automated guided vehicle 30 (Fig. 1(B)) and signals from an information terminal 7 (Fig. 1(A)) such as a user's smartphone, and can also transmit to the automated guided vehicle or an information terminal. Signals from other than the non-contact sensor 21n (Fig. 4(B)) are signals that directly specify the destination floor, door open, door closed, going to an upper floor, going to a lower floor, etc. Furthermore, by establishing communication with a control room or the like located away from the elevator, a configuration that allows remote operation can also be realized.

The controller 28 controls the operation of the button pressing mechanism 23 based on the information received by the receiving unit 27.

Specifically, as shown in the example of FIG. 4(B), when a signal indicating that the presence of a finger U has been detected by non-contact sensor 21n is received by receiving unit 27, controller 28 turns switch 51 ON for a few seconds (e.g., 1 to 2 seconds). This starts the flow of electricity, contracting deformable body 24a and moving pressing body 21 in pressing direction F1 to press button 3. Here, finger U is detected before it touches button 3, so non-contact button operation is achieved without touching button 3.

As shown in FIG. 3(A), the pressing body 21 has a window 21b, which exposes at least a portion of the button 3, making it possible to press the button 3 directly. Therefore, while allowing conventional contact-based operation, it is also possible to additionally allow non-contact operation.

Also, as shown in the example of FIG. 4(A), when the receiving unit 27 receives a signal indicating that the light detection unit 21m has detected that the lamp 52 has changed from on to off, the controller 28 recognizes that the purpose of operating the button on which the light detection unit 21m is located has been achieved. As will be described in detail later, the controller 28 transmits this information to the automated guided vehicle, for example.

The above configuration can be configured as a button pressing assistance unit 20 shown in Figure 2, which is installed as a retrofit on an elevator operation panel 2A mounted on the wall of an elevator hall, and can also be applied to a button pressing assistance unit 40, which is installed as a retrofit on an elevator operation panel 4A mounted on the wall inside the elevator car, as shown in Figures 5(A)(B)(C) and 6.

As shown in Figures 5 (A), (B), and (C), the unit body 40A of the button pressing assistance unit 40 is provided with a receiving unit 47 and a controller 48, and a housing portion 46a for housing the button pressing mechanism 23 is provided at a position corresponding to each button 3.

In FIG. 6, the button 3 can be seen through a window 46b that penetrates the unit body 40A in the thickness direction. A user can press the button 3 directly through the window 46b, but as shown in FIG. 4(B), a non-contact sensor 21n detects a finger before pressing the button, allowing non-contact operation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, an example of floor movement of the automated guided vehicle 30 using the above configuration will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart similar to the following description.

The automated guided vehicle 30 is a self-propelled vehicle that runs automatically by controlling the drive unit 32 with the controller 31. The automated guided vehicle 30 is equipped with a communication unit 33, and communication is established between the automated guided vehicle 30 and the receiving unit 27 provided on the button pressing assistance units 20 and 40.

When the automated guided vehicle 30 transmits a signal to press the up-floor button at the elevator hall, the button pressing assistance unit 20 presses the up-floor button. When the elevator car 4 arrives, the lamp 52 (FIG. 4(B)) of the up-floor button changes from lit to off. This change to off is detected by the light detection unit 21m, and the controller 28 on the button pressing assistance unit 20 side transmits a signal of this detection to the controller 31 on the automated guided vehicle 30 side.

The elevator doors open automatically, and the automated guided vehicle 30 enters the car 4. The controller 31 of the automated guided vehicle 30 sends a signal specifying the desired destination floor to the button pressing assistance unit 40 in the car 4. Based on the received signal, the button pressing assistance unit 40 presses the button corresponding to the destination floor.

The lamp 52 (Figure 4 (B)) of the pressed button lights up and then goes out when the elevator arrives at the destination floor. When the light detection unit 21m detects this turning off, the controller 48 on the button pressing assistance unit 40 side sends a signal of this detection to the controller 31 on the automatic guided vehicle 30 side.

The elevator doors open automatically, the automated guided vehicle 30 moves out of the car 4, and movement to the desired destination floor is completed.

As described above, the present invention can be applied to existing elevator control panels as a retrofit, and can realize a button pressing assistance unit that enables contactless operation. Because it can be retrofitted, it is highly versatile and is expected to be widely applicable regardless of the type of elevator manufacturer, and can quickly respond to social needs as an effective infection control measure.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize movement between floors by self-propelled automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

2 Elevator landing 2A Elevator operation panel 3 Button 4 Cage 4A Elevator operation panel 7 Information terminal 20 Button pressing auxiliary unit 20A Unit body 21 Pressing body 21a Frame body 21b Window portion 21c Engagement portion 21d Convex portion 21e Elastic body 21m Non-contact sensor 21n Light detection sensor 22 Pressing unit 22a Frame body 22b Through window 22c Engagement hole 23 Button pressing mechanism 24 Driving mechanism 24a Deformable body 26a Storage portion 26b Window portion 27 Receiving unit 28 Controller 30 Automatic guided vehicle 31 Controller 32 Driving unit 33 Communication unit 40 Button pressing auxiliary unit 40A Unit body 46b Window portion 48 Controller 51 Switch 52 Lamp F1 Pressing direction F2 Counter pressing direction U Finger

Claims (5)

A button pressing auxiliary unit for an elevator operation panel that is detachably attached to an elevator operation panel having a button and presses the button,
a button pressing mechanism including a pressing body disposed opposite to the button and pressing the button, and a pressing unit for positioning the pressing body at a pressing position for pressing the button and at a retreat position;
a receiving unit for receiving a signal identifying a button to be pressed;
a controller that controls the button pressing mechanism based on a signal received by the receiving unit ;
The pressing unit has a drive mechanism for moving the frame of the pressing body in a pressing direction,
The drive mechanism is composed of a wire-shaped deformable body that contracts when electricity is applied.
Button pressing auxiliary unit for elevator control panel. The button lights up when pressed and goes out when the purpose for which the button was pressed is achieved.
The receiving unit receives a signal from the automated guided vehicle;
The button pressing auxiliary unit for the elevator operation panel includes a detection unit for detecting when the button goes from lit to extinguished,
the controller transmits a light-off signal to the automated guided vehicle when the detection unit detects that the button is turned off;
The button pressing assistance unit for an elevator operating panel according to claim 1 . The pressing body is provided with a window portion facing the button,
The window portion is configured as a through-hole portion.
Or,
The window portion is configured to be closed by a transparent plate material.
3. The button pressing assistance unit for an elevator operating panel according to claim 1 or 2. A button pressing auxiliary unit for an elevator operation panel that is detachably attached to an elevator operation panel having a button and presses the button,
a button pressing mechanism including a pressing body disposed opposite to the button and pressing the button, and a pressing unit for positioning the pressing body at a pressing position for pressing the button and at a retreat position;
a receiving unit for receiving a signal identifying a button to be pressed;
a controller that controls the button pressing mechanism based on a signal received by the receiving unit ;
The pressing body is provided with a window portion facing the button,
The window portion is configured as a through-hole portion.
Or,
The window portion is configured to be closed by a transparent plate material.
A button pressing assistance unit for an elevator operating panel, comprising : The button lights up when pressed and goes out when the purpose for which the button was pressed is achieved.
The receiving unit receives a signal from the automated guided vehicle;
The button pressing auxiliary unit for the elevator operation panel includes a detection unit for detecting when the button goes from lit to extinguished,
the controller transmits a light-off signal to the automated guided vehicle when the detection unit detects that the button is turned off;
The button pressing assistance unit for an elevator operating panel according to claim 4 .