ELEVATOR

Abstract

 The invention relates to an elevator comprising
a hoistway (H);
an elevator car (1) vertically moveable in the hoistway (H);
an elevator control (100);
the elevator being configured to serve passengers by controlling movement of the elevator car (1) in response to signals received from passengers;
a sensing means for sensing persons on top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or on the floor of the hoistway (H).
The sensing means comprises one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or on the pit floor of the hoistway (H) and configured to sense pressure exerted thereon; and
the elevator is configured to prevent said serving of passengers if pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an elevator, and more specifically to safety measures of an elevator. The elevator is particularly an elevator suitable for transporting passengers and/or goods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In modern elevators, access of persons into the hoistway space located outside the car, particularly above or below the car is blocked from passengers of the elevator. Access is allowed only for service persons that possess a special key, such as a triangular key, for manually opening locks of doors leading to said hoistway space.

[0003] To make possible safe work in the hoistway during service, a safety space has been ensured physically. When a service person enters the hoistway space, he establishes a safe working space by specific mechanical or electromechanical equipment. Typically, sufficient spaces are created by stoppers, e.g. telescopic buffers activatable to limit car movement such that that it cannot move up to the end of the hoistway.

[0004] The activatable safety equipment and the door lock of each doore have been provided with detectors to detect hoistway access. Should opening of door locks or activation of safety equipement be detected, the elevator is automatically prevented from carrying on the normal operation wherein the elevator control controls movement of the elevator car in response to call signals from passengers located inside the car and/or at landings. Thus, passengers cannot cause movement of the car, which would be dangerous for the service person while he is in the hoistway space. In addition to the detectors, the elevator has been provided with a reset function operable by the service person so that he can indicate the elevator control that the hoistway is empty of persons and that the elevator can be returned to normal operation mode. Accordingly, after the actual service operation has been completed, the system has to be dismantled and reset before normal operation is possible.

[0005] A drawback of the existing solutions has been that they are complicated and necessitate multiple detections for telling the elevator control that there are no persons in the hoistway. Also, the system relies on input from the service person whereby the system is not well prepared for errors made by the service person performing the system reset.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an elevator, which is improved in safety. An objective is particularly to overcome one or more of the drawbacks of the existing solutions mentioned above and/or drawbacks mentioned or implied later in the description. An objective is particularly to provide a reliable and safe solution for detecting persons in the hoistway and for reacting to detected presence in an appropriate manner. An objective is further to provide a solution, which is simple and does not consume considerably hoistway space.

[0007] It is brought forward a new elevator comprising a hoistway; an elevator car vertically moveable in the hoistway; and an elevator control. The elevator is configured to serve passengers by controlling movement of the elevator car in response to signals received from passengers, in particular signals from passengers located inside the car and/or at landings, said signals preferably being received via one or more user interfaces located inside the car and/or at landings. The elevator further comprises a sensing means for sensing persons on top of the roof of the elevator car and/or on the floor of the hoistway. The sensing means comprises one or more pressure sensors in the form of pressure sensitive films mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car and/or on the pit floor of the hoistway and configured to sense pressure exerted thereon, and the elevator is configured to prevent said serving of passengers if persons are sensed by the sensing means on top of the roof of the elevator car and/or on the floor of the hoistway and in particular if pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films. With this configuration, one or more of the above mentioned advantages and/or objectives are achieved. Thus, it is provided a reliable and safe solution for detecting persons in the hoistway and for reacting to detected presence in an appropriate manner. The advantage of using pressure sensitive film(s) is the very thin form, as well as their ability to cover large areas. In addition to this, they are accurate and can withstand in harsh environments. The achieved solution can operate reliably independently of car position or conditions in the hoistway. The detection is based on direct feeling of the weight of a person present in the hoistway, whereby it can obtain a very reliable detection. When a person steps on the pit or on the car top, the elevator registers this immediately. The elevator is able to detect whether the relevant hoistway positions are occupied or not without any signal or other input from humans. Thus, the elevator's independency on observations of the service person are improved. Preferable further features are introduced in the following, which further features can be combined with the elevator individually or in any combination.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, said one or more pressure sensitive films are mounted to cover upper surfaces of the top of the roof of the elevator car and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, said one or more the pressure sensitive films are mounted such they have upper surfaces upon which a person can stand.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, said one or more pressure sensitive films mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car are mounted to cover at least majority (i.e. at least 50 %) of the total upper surface area of the top of the roof of the elevator car and/or to cover at least majority (i.e. at least 50 %) of the total upper surface area of the pit floor of the hoistway. Thus, a considerable area of the roof top/pit floor is covered by the film(s), and the reliability of sensing of persons is facilitated.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more pressure sensitive films comprises plurality of pressure sensitive films mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car and/or plurality of pressure sensitive films mounted on the pit floor of the hoistway. Thus, the top of the roof and/or the top of the pit floor can be provided with film coverage even though it is heavily uneven. The position of the films can optimally conformed according to objects shapes. The films can furthermore be spaced apart such that gaps are formed between them, whereby material can be saved. In this case, the gaps are to be only small so that no safety risks result. The gaps are preferably 0-25 cm wide. Preferably, the gaps are however within 0,5-5 cm in width, more preferably within 0,5-2 cm in width, whereby a normal shoe will produce on one or both of the films the pressure required for pressure detection even though the step is placed at the point of a gap.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more pressure sensitive films comprises plurality of pressure sensitive films mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car and/or plurality of pressure sensitive films mounted on the pit floor of the hoistway, and the elevator comprises one or more objects each forming an upwards extending protrusion on the top of the roof of the elevator car or on the pit floor of the hoistway, and at least one of said objects is positioned between two adjacent pressure sensitive films. Said objects preferably include one or more of the following: a rope fixing means, a buffer, a beam or a ventilation box.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more pressure sensitive films comprises plurality of pressure sensitive films mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car and/or plurality of pressure sensitive films mounted on the pit floor of the hoistway, and the elevator comprises one or more objects each forming an upwards extending protrusion on the top of the roof of the elevator car or on the pit floor of the hoistway, and the plurality of pressure sensitive films comprises a first pressure sensitive film placed on a first level to cover a first upper surface of the top of the roof of the elevator car and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway, and a second pressure sensitive film placed on a second higher level to cover a second upper surface of the top of the roof of the elevator car and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway, said second upper surface being a upper surface of the object. Said objects preferably include one or more of the following: a rope fixing means, a buffer, a beam or a ventilation box.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films is in the form of an adhesive tape, having an adhesive side fixed on the surface against which the film is mounted. The film in the form of an adhesive tape is then elongated. The adhesive tape can prior its mounting be stored with a cover sheet covering the adhesive side of the film. In this case, each film has been mounted by removing a cover sheet from the adhesive side of the film so as to reveal the adhesive side, and thereafter placing the adhesive side against the surface where the film is to be mounted.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more pressure sensitive films are flexible. The one or more pressure sensitive films have been mounted by spreading them wide, in particular to cover upper surfaces of top of the roof of the elevator car and/or upper surfaces of the pit floor of the hoistway.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, one or more pressure sensitive films mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car and/or on the pit floor of the hoistway and configured to sense pressure exerted thereon at least in vertical direction.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator is an elevator having at least a first mode which is a normal operation mode wherein the elevator control is configured to control movement of the elevator car in response to (call) signals received from passengers, in particular signals received from passengers located inside the car and/or at landings, said signals being received via one or more user interfaces located inside the car and/or at landings; and a second mode wherein the elevator control is configured not to control movement of the elevator car in response to signals received from passengers; in particular signals received from passengers located inside the car and/or at landings, said signals being received via one or more user interfaces located inside the car and/or at landings; and the elevator control is configured to change the elevator mode from said first mode to the second mode in response to receiving from said sensing means a predetermined trigger signal, in particular a signal indicating that pressure has been exerted on one or more of the pressure sensitive films.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator comprises user interfaces located inside the car and/or at landings, such as button panels and/or touch screens, arranged to receive a signal from the passenger (user).

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensitive film is a flexible multilayer film. The components of the pressure sensitive film may form a sandwich -structure of components laminated together.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensitive film comprises a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and at least one intermediate layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The intermediate layer preferably isolates the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer from each other.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more monitoring units are configured to monitor changes in one or more electrical property of the pressure sensitive films.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more monitoring units are connected with one or more electrodes of the pressure sensitive films.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensitive film is a piezoelectric film.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate layer comprises piezoelectric material.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensitive film comprises a protective layer forming the upper surface of the pressure sensitive film. Said protective layer is preferably a coating made of polymer material, such as polyimide.

[0026] The pressure sensitive film preferably further comprises a protective layer forming the lower surface of the pressure sensitive film. Said protective layer is preferably a coating made of polymer material, such as polyimide.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensitive film is mounted immovably, preferably by adhesive substance, such as glue. Then the protective layer forming the lower surface of the pressure sensitive film is glued on the upper surface(s) of the top of the roof of the elevator car and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator comprises a one or more monitoring units connected with the one or more pressure sensitive films and configured to trigger one or more actions for preventing said serving of passengers in response to receiving a signal from one or more pressure sensitive films indicating that pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, said triggering includes sending to the elevator control a predetermined trigger signal, in particular a signal indicating that pressure has been exerted on the pressure sensitive film.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, said one or more actions include breaking the safety circuit of the elevator and/or changing the elevator mode.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator, in particular the elevator control, comprises a safety circuit breaking of which is arranged to cause activation of mechanical brake(s) for stopping movement of the elevator car and/or interruption of supply of electricity to elevator motor, and pressure sensed by one or more of the pressure sensitive films is arranged to trigger breaking the safety circuit.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator comprises a drive machinery, the drive machinery comprising a motor for moving the car and a mechanical brakes (machine brakes) for braking car movement the mechanical brakes being configured to act on a drive wheel or a component fixed thereto when activated.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the second mode is a service mode wherein the elevator is configured not to control movement of the elevator car in response to (call) signals received from passengers; but wherein the car can be driven by a service person.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator comprises a service drive panel, and comprising operating means manually operable to drive the car when the elevator is in said service mode. The service drive panel is preferably located on top of the car.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator comprises a drive machinery, the drive machinery comprising a motor for moving the car, and said operating means comprises a first button, upon actuation of which the motor is arranged to move the elevator car upwards as long as the button is actuated, and a second button upon actuation of which the motor is arranged to move the elevator car downwards as long as the button is actuated.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, in the second mode, the motor is arranged to be manually controllable with said manual operating means to move the elevator car a manually controllable distance upwards or downwards.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, said operating means are in the form of push buttons.

[0038] The elevator is preferably such that the car thereof can be stopped at two or more landings. Preferably, the car has an interior space suitable for receiving a passenger or passengers, and the car can be provided with a door for forming a closed interior space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 illustrates an elevator according to a preferred embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates further preferred details for the layout of the one or more pressure sensitive films according to a first preferred embodiment.

Figure 3 illustrates further preferred details for the layout of the one or more pressure sensitive films according to a second preferred embodiment.

Figure 4 illustrates further preferred details for the layout of the one or more pressure sensitive films according to a third preferred embodiment.

Figure 5 illustrates preferred details for the connections between features.

Figure 6 illustrates preferred details for the structure of a pressure sensitive film.

Figure 7 illustrates preferred details for the sending of a trigger signal to the elevator control.

Figure 8 illustrates a service drive panel.

[0040] The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and the detailed description related thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an elevator. The elevator comprises a hoistway H and an elevator car 1 vertically moveable in the hoistway H. The elevator further comprises an elevator control 100 for controlling movement of the elevator car 1. The elevator control is additionally responsible for several other functions of the elevator, such as one or more safety functions. The elevator comprises a plurality of landings L0-Ln. The car 1 of the elevator can be stopped at two or more landings L0-Ln .The elevator is configured to serve passengers by controlling movement of the elevator car 1 in response to signals, also known as elevator calls, received from passengers, in particular signals from passengers located inside the car 1 and/or at landings L0-Ln. Said signals are arranged to be received via one or more user interfaces 10,11 located inside the car 1 and/or at landings L0-Ln. The elevator further comprises landing doors d leading to the hoistway H from said landings L0-Ln. The landing doors d are preferably lockable and when the car 1 is not parked at the landing L0-Ln in question openable to access the hoistway H only by opening its lock. The elevator, in particular the elevator control 100, comprises a sensing means for sensing persons on top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and/or on the floor of the hoistway H. Thereby, it gains information whether the top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and/or on the floor of the hoistway H is/are occupied by person(s), and can control the elevator car 1 taking into account that information. The sensing means comprises one or more pressure sensors, mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and/or on the pit floor of the hoistway H. The pressure sensors are sensitive films 3a,3b. The advantage of using pressure sensitive film(s) is their very thin form, as well as their ability to cover large areas. In the case presented in Figure 1, the sensing means comprises pressure sensitive films 3a,3b mounted both on top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and on the pit floor of the hoistway H. The pressure sensitive films 3a,3b are configured to sense pressure exerted thereon, particularly in vertical direction. The elevator, in particular the elevator control, is further configured to prevent said serving of passengers if persons are sensed by the sensing means on top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and/or on the floor of the hoistway H, and in particular if pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b.

[0042] Said pressure sensitive films 3a,3b are mounted to cover upper surfaces of the top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and the pit floor of the hoistway H. Said upper surfaces include at least horizontal surfaces of the roof of the elevator car 1 and of the pit floor as illustrated in Figure 1. Each pressure sensitive film 3a,3b is mounted in this case such that it has a planar upper surface upon which a person can stand. Thereby, each film 3a,3b forms a coat for the upper surface it covers, upon which a person can stand.

[0043] To monitor the pressure sensitive films as well as to form a local connection box in proximity of the pressure sensitive films 3a,3b, the elevator comprises a one or more monitoring units 4a,4b connected with the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b and configured to trigger one or more actions for preventing said serving of passengers in response to receiving a signal from one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b, which signal indicates that pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b. This signal from the film 3a,3b can be in any form of signal suitable for being interpreted by a monitoring unit 4a,4b to mean that pressure is exerted on a pressure sensitive film. The connections between the monitoring units 4a,4b and the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b can be wired or wireless connections. Wireless connection saves wiring and is preferred particularly in case the number of pressure sensitive films 3a,3b is great or the monitoring units 4a,4b need to be positioned apart from the films.

[0044] Figures 2-4 illustrated different preferred details for the layout of the one or more pressure sensitive films. Each of these Figures illustrates how the film(s) can be mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and/or on the pit floor of the hoistway H.

[0045] In the embodiment of Figure 2, there is only one large film 3a,3b mounted on top of the roof or the pit floor.

[0046] In the embodiment of Figure 3, the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b comprises plurality of pressure sensitive films 3a,3b mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car 1 or on top of the pit floor of the hoistway H. There are objects O, each forming an upwards extending protrusion on the top of the roof of the elevator car 1 or on the pit floor of the hoistway H, and the object O is positioned between two adjacent pressure sensitive films 3a,3b. Thus, there are films that are spaced apart in horizontal direction and between them an object O is positioned. This embodiment is advantageous when the top surface upon which the film(s) are to be mounted is not planar. Said objects O preferably include one or more of the following: a rope fixing means, a buffer, a beam or a ventilation box. In this embodiment, it is illustrated that each film of said plurality of films is connected separately with the monitoring units 4a,4b, however, this is not necessary as alternatively a common connection line could be used instead. Furthermore, it is an alternative that in case there are plural more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b, the can each be connected to different monitoring units 4a,4b. This would have the advantage that several fully functioning entities would be provided in parallel, whereby the system could be provided with redundancy, thereby facilitating safety further.

[0047] In the embodiment of Figure 4, the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b comprises plurality of pressure sensitive films 3a,3b mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car 1 or on top of the pit floor of the hoistway H. There are objects O, each forming an upwards extending protrusion on the top of the roof of the elevator car 1 or on the pit floor of the hoistway H. The plurality of pressure sensitive films 3a,3b comprises a first pressure sensitive film 3a,3b placed on a first vertical level a to cover a first upper surface of the top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway H, and a second pressure sensitive film 3a,3b placed on a second, higher, vertical level b to cover a second upper surface of the top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway H, said second upper surface being a upper surface of the object O. Said objects O preferably include one or more of the following: a rope fixing means, a buffer, a beam or a ventilation box. In this embodiment, it is illustrated that each film of said plurality of films is connected separately with the monitoring units 4a,4b, however, this is not necessary as alternatively a common connection line could be used instead.

[0048] The elevator is preferably elevator having at least a first mode which is a 'normal operation mode' wherein the elevator control 100 is configured to control movement of the elevator car 1 in response to (call) signals received from passengers, in particular signals from passengers located inside the car 1 and/or at landings L0-Ln, said signals being received via one or more user interfaces 11 located inside the car 1 and/or via one or more user interfaces 10 at landings L0-Ln. In the first mode, the elevator is configured to serve passengers in particular in an automatic manner by controlling movement of the elevator car 1 in response to signals from passengers, such that the elevator car 2 is moved automatically from one landing Lo to another Ln.

[0049] The elevator furthermore preferably has at least a second mode wherein the elevator control 100 is configured not to control movement of the elevator car 1 in response to (call) signals of the aforementioned kind received from passengers. The elevator control 100 is configured to change the elevator mode from said first mode to the second mode in response to receiving from said sensing means a predetermined trigger signal, in particular a signal indicating that pressure has been exerted on one or more of pressure sensitive films 3a,3b.

[0050] The second mode is preferably a service mode wherein the elevator is configured not to control movement of the elevator car 1 in response to (call) signals received from passengers; but wherein the car 1 can be driven, particularly manually, by a service person. For this purpose, the elevator comprises a service drive panel 20 accessible by a service person only (not by passengers), and comprising operating means a, b manually operable to drive the car 1 when the elevator is in said service mode. The service drive panel 20 is illustrated in Figure 8. The service drive panel 20 is preferably located on top of the car 1. As mentioned, the elevator comprises a drive machinery M, the drive machinery comprising a motor 101 for moving the car 1. Said operating means a,b comprises a first button a, upon actuation of which the motor 101 is arranged to move the elevator car 1 upwards as long as the button is actuated, and a second button upon actuation of which the motor 101 is arranged to move the elevator car 1 downwards as long as the button is actuated. Preferably, in the second mode, the motor 101 is arranged to be manually controllable with said manual operating means to move the elevator car a manually controllable distance upwards or downwards. Thus, the operating panel is usable for moving the car into position optimal for servicing the car or the hoistway components, i.e. also between consecutive landings when needed. In the preferred embodiment, said operating means are in the form of push buttons.

[0051] The interfaces 10,11 for passengers are located inside the car and/or at landings, and they are preferably in the form of button panels and/or touch screens, and arranged to receive a signal from the passenger.

[0052] The elevator control 100 is in Figure 1 illustrated as a single unit, however, its functions could be distributed for several units. For the purpose of intelligent control, it comprises a processing unit, such as a unit comprising one or more microprocessors, and an electric drive unit for driving the motor 101 of the elevator. The drive unit is preferably in the form of a frequency converter. The one or more monitoring units 4a,4b can be connected to the elevator control 100, for example to the processing unit and/or to a safety circuit thereof.

[0053] As mentioned, the elevator comprises one or more monitoring units 4a,4b connected with the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b and configured to trigger one or more actions for preventing said serving of passengers in response to receiving a signal indicating that pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b. Said one or more actions preferably include breaking the safety circuit S of the elevator and/or changing the elevator mode. This is preferably implemented such that said triggering includes sending to the elevator control 100 a predetermined trigger signal, in particular a signal indicating that pressure has been exerted on the pressure sensitive film. A trigger signal can be sent directly to a processing unit comprised in the elevator control 100 so as to trigger mode change of the elevator. Alternatively or additionally, A trigger signal can be sent to operating means of a safety switch S1 of a safety circuit S of the elevator to break the safety circuit S.

[0054] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment where said one or more actions preferably include breaking the safety circuit S of the elevator. In this case, the elevator control 100 comprises a safety circuit S, breaking of which is arranged to cause activation of mechanical brake(s) for stopping movement of the elevator car and/or interruption supply of electricity to elevator motor, and pressure sensed by one or more of the pressure sensitive films is arranged to trigger breaking the safety circuit S of the elevator. As already mentioned, the elevator comprises a drive machinery M, the drive machinery comprising a motor 101 for moving the car 1 and furthermore mechanical brakes (e.g. machine brakes) for braking car movement the mechanical brakes being configured to act on a drive wheel 102 or a component fixed thereto when activated. The safety circuit S can provide electricity for a contactor 60 keeping switches 61 of electrical supply lines to motor 101 and/or brakes closed. The one or more monitoring units 4a,4b can be configured to send the trigger signal to a relay r operating a safety switch S1 of the safety circuit S of the elevator, for instance, such that it opens the safety switch S1, when pressure is detected. In this case, the safety circuit S is under voltage and the breaking thereof is arranged to cause the contactor 60 to release said switches to opened state and thereby to break the supply of electricity via these electrical supply lines.

[0055] In the preferred embodiments, each said pressure sensitive film 3a,3b is flexible. It is mounted by spreading it wide on top of the roof of the elevator car 1 and/or on the pit floor of the hoistway H.

[0056] The pressure sensitive film 3a,3b is a flexible multilayer film. The layers of the pressure sensitive film may form a sandwich -structure of components laminated together.

[0057] Figure 6 illustrates preferred details for the structure of a pressure sensitive film 3a,3b. In this embodiment, the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b comprises a first electrode layer 201, a second electrode layer 202, and a intermediate layer 203 between the first electrode layer 201 and the second electrode layer 202 isolating these from each other.

[0058] The one or more monitoring units 4a,4b are connected, e.g. by electric wire(s) or in a wireless manner with one or more electrodes of the pressure sensitive films 3a,3b, and configured to monitor changes in one or more electrical properties of the pressure sensitive films 3a,3b. Should pressure be exerted on the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b, the layers 201-205 of the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b are compressed, and the electric properties of the layer structure change in a detectable manner. Preferably, the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b is a piezoelectric film. Then, the intermediate layer is made to comprises piezoelectric material whereby an electric charge is produced in the piezoelectric material, which can be detected by the one or more monitoring unit 4a,4b configured to monitor changes in one or more electrical property of the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b in question. The change in the electrical property is then interpreted by the one or more monitoring units 4a,4b as a signal indicating that pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films 3a,3b. The layers 201-203 can each be a platelike flexible layer. However, one or more of the layers 201-203 could alternatively be a layer formed by a mat of fiberlike material, For example, layer 202 could be a piezoceramic fiber layer.

[0059] The pressure sensitive film 3a,3b preferably further comprises a protective layer 204 forming the upper surface of the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b. The protective layer protects the other layers from abrasion or exposure to chemicals that might harm the other layers. Thus, the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b tolerates standing and the elevator environment in general. Said protective layer is preferably a coating made of polymer material, such as of polyimide, which has been found to be well suitable for protecting the other layers.

[0060] The pressure sensitive film 3a,3b preferably further comprises a protective layer 205 forming the lower surface of the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b. The protective layer protects the other layers from abrasion or exposure to chemicals that might harm the other layers. The pressure sensitive film 3a,3b can be fixed via the protective layer 205 forming the lower surface of the pressure sensitive film 3a,3b without harming the other layers. Said protective layer is preferably a coating made of polymer material, such as of polyimide, which has been found to be well suitable for protecting the other layers.

[0061] Pressure sensitive films are available commercially. Few commercial examples are TekScan Flexi Force® Sensors, UneoTM Micro-Deformable Piezoresistive Sensors, and Emfit Film.

[0062] As illustrated in Figure 1, the elevator comprises a drive machinery M comprising a motor 101 for moving the car 1. For enabling force transmission, the motor 101 is preferably connected mechanically to the car 1 such that its rotation is transformed into movement of the car 1. In the illustrated embodiment, this is implemented such that the elevator further comprises a roping R interconnecting the car 2 and a counterweight 5 also arranged to travel in the hoistway H. The elevator comprises a drive wheel 102 rotatable by the motor 101, and the drive wheel engages the roping R, whereby movement of the car 2 can be controlled by controlling rotation of the motor 101.

[0063] In the preferred embodiments, the pressure sensitive films 3a,3b are configured to sense pressure exerted thereon, particularly in vertical direction. However, the pressure sensitive films 3a,3b can additionally or even alternatively be configured to sense pressure exerted thereon in horizontal direction, whereby the films could sense touches of person in horizontal direction.

[0064] The fixing by adhesive substance can be implemented by gluing but alternatively by making the film an adhesive tape. The film is then in the form of an adhesive tape, having an adhesive side fixed on the surface against which the film is mounted. The film is then elongated. The adhesive tape can prior its mounting be stored with a cover sheet covering the adhesive side of the film. In this case, each film has been mounted by removing a cover sheet from the adhesive side of the film so as to reveal the adhesive side, and thereafter placing the adhesive side against the surface where the film is to be mounted.

[0065] It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying Figures are only intended to teach the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The above-described embodiments of the invention may thus be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An elevator comprising
a hoistway (H);
an elevator car (1) vertically moveable in the hoistway (H);
an elevator control (100);
the elevator being configured to serve passengers by controlling movement of the elevator car (1) in response to signals received from passengers;
a sensing means for sensing persons on top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or on the floor of the hoistway (H),
characterized in that
the sensing means comprises one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or on the pit floor of the hoistway (H) and configured to sense pressure exerted thereon; and
the elevator is configured to prevent said serving of passengers if pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b).

2. An elevator according to claim 1, wherein said one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) are mounted to cover upper surfaces of the top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway (H).

3. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) comprises plurality of pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or plurality of pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) mounted on the pit floor of the hoistway (H).

4. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) comprises plurality of pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or plurality of pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) mounted on the pit floor of the hoistway (H), and ad the elevator comprises one or more objects (O) each forming an upwards extending protrusion on the top of the roof of the elevator car (1) or on the pit floor of the hoistway (H), and at least one of the objects (O) is positioned between two adjacent pressure sensitive films (3a,3b).

5. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) comprises plurality of pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) mounted on top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or plurality of pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) mounted on the pit floor of the hoistway (H), and the elevator comprises one or more objects (O) each forming an upwards extending protrusion on the top of the roof of the elevator car (1) or on the pit floor of the hoistway (H), and the plurality of pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) comprises a first pressure sensitive film (3a,3b) placed on a first level (a) to cover a first upper surface of the top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway (H), and a second pressure sensitive film (3a,3b) placed on a second higher level (b) to cover a second upper surface of the top of the roof of the elevator car (1) and/or of the pit floor of the hoistway (H), said second upper surface being a upper surface of one of said objects (O).

6. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) are flexible.

7. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevator is an elevator having at least
a first mode which is a normal operation mode wherein the elevator control (100) is configured to control movement of the elevator car (1) in response to signals received from passengers; and
a second mode wherein the elevator control (100) is configured not to control movement of the elevator car (1) in response to signals received from passengers; and
the elevator control (100) is configured to change the elevator mode from said first mode to the second mode in response to receiving from said sensing means a predetermined trigger signal, in particular a signal indicating that pressure has been exerted on one or more of the pressure sensitive films (3a,3b).

8. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure sensitive film (3a,3b) comprises a first electrode layer (201), a second electrode layer (202), and at least one intermediate layer (203) between the first electrode layer (201) and the second electrode layer (202).

9. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more monitoring units (4a,4b) are configured to monitor changes in one or more electrical property of the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b).

10. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more monitoring units (4a,4b) are connected with one or more electrodes of the pressure sensitive films (3a,3b).

11. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure sensitive film (3a,3b) is a piezoelectric film.

12. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure sensitive film (3a,3b) is mounted immovably, preferably by an adhesive substance, such as glue.

13. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevator comprises one or more monitoring units (4a,4b) connected with the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b) and configured to trigger one or more actions for preventing said serving of passengers in response to receiving a signal indicating that pressure is exerted on one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive films (3a,3b).

14. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more actions include breaking the safety circuit (S) of the elevator and/or changing the elevator mode.

15. An elevator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second mode is a service mode wherein the car (1) can be driven by a service person.

Drawing