ELEVATOR DOOR ARRANGEMENT WITH DOOR PANEL ADJUSTABILITY IN AT LEAST TWO DIMENSIONS

Abstract

Elevator door arrangement includes door panel connected to door mechanism by an interface member. Door panel first fixation plate section and door mechanism second fixation plate section extend in horizontal and vertical planes respectively. Interface member has first and second interconnection plate sections extending parallel to the horizontal and vertical planes respectively. Third oblong through-hole extends in second horizontal direction in first fixation plate section, first oblong through-hole extends in first horizontal direction in first interconnection plate section transverse to the second horizontal direction, and second oblong through-hole extends in vertical direction in second fixation plate section. Door panel is fixed to interface member by a first fixation member vertically extending through the first and optionally the third through-holes and interface member is fixed to door mechanism by a second fixation member horizontally extending through the second through-hole establishing 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional door panel adjustability.

Claims

1-7. (canceled)

8. An elevator door arrangement with at least 2-dimensional door panel adjustability, the elevator door arrangement comprising: a door panel; an interface member; a door mechanism supported by a door frame fixedly installed within the elevator door arrangement, the door mechanism being displaceable relative to the door frame, wherein the door panel is fixedly connected to the door mechanism by the interface member; wherein the door panel includes a first fixation plate section extending in a horizontal plane; where the door mechanism includes a second fixation plate section extending in a vertical plane; wherein the interface member includes a first interconnection plate section and a second interconnection plate section, the first interconnection plate section extending parallel to the horizontal plane and the second interconnection plate section extending parallel to the vertical plane; wherein the first interconnection plate section has a first oblong through-hole extending in a first horizontal direction parallel to the horizontal plane; wherein the second fixation plate section has a second oblong through-hole extending in a vertical direction in the vertical plane; and wherein the door panel is fixed to the interface member by a first fixation member vertically extending through the first oblong through-hole and the interface member is fixed to the door mechanism by a second fixation member horizontally extending through the second oblong through-hole, wherein the first horizontal direction is parallel to an extension plane of the door panel, and whereby the door panel is adjustable in two dimensions relative to the door mechanism when the first and second fixation members are released.

9. The elevator door arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the first fixation plate section has a third oblong through-hole extending in a second horizontal direction being transverse to the first horizontal direction, and wherein the door panel is fixed to the interface member via the first fixation member vertically extending through the first and third oblong through-holes, thereby establishing a 3-dimensional door panel adjustability for the elevator door arrangement when the first and second fixation members are released.

10. The elevator door arrangement according to claim 8 including a lever mechanism having a first pivoting section being held relative to the door mechanism in the vertical direction and a second pivoting section being displaceably held relative to the door mechanism in the vertical direction by a vertical distance adjustment member, the vertical distance adjustment member being configured for changing a vertical distance between the second pivoting section of the lever mechanism and an engagement position at the door mechanism, and wherein the lever mechanism pivotably engages with the second fixation member.

11. The elevator door arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the vertical distance adjustment member is a screw that, when rotated, changes a vertical distance between the second pivoting section of the lever mechanism and the engagement position at the door mechanism.

12. The elevator door arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the lever mechanism includes a single integral lever piece and the vertical distance adjustment member.

13. The elevator door arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the first and second pivoting sections are arranged at opposing sides in relation to a position where the lever mechanism pivotably engages with the second fixation member.

14. The elevator door arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the interface member is an integral metal sheet element.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a perspective overview of an elevator door arrangement;

[0055] FIGS. 2 through 4 show details of a conventional elevator door arrangement;

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a partial front view onto an elevator door arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view onto details of the elevator door arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an interface member for an elevator door arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0059] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view onto a first fixation plate section of a door panel for an elevator door arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0060] FIGS. 9 and 10 show front views onto a lever mechanism in different configurations in an elevator door arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] The figures are only schematic and not to scale. Same reference signs refer to same or similar features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a perspective overview of an elevator door arrangement 1 and shall be used for defining terms used hereinafter for identifying elements and features of the elevator door arrangement 1.

[0063] The elevator door arrangement 1 comprises two door panels 3 attached to a door mechanism 5. The door mechanism 5 is installed at a door frame 7 and is configured for displacing the door panels 3 in opposite horizontal directions such as to open or close a door opening 9 for providing or blocking, respectively, access to an elevator car (not shown). At a lower edge, the elevator door arrangement comprises a sill 11.

[0064] Generally, a position of the door panels 3 is to be adjusted in the elevator door arrangement 1 in order to establish suitable gaps between the door panels 3 and neighboring components or structures. On the one hand, these gaps should be sufficiently large for enabling, for example, a smooth and frictionless motion of the door panels 3 upon being opened or closed. On the other hand, these gaps should not be excessively large for limiting, for example, risks for passengers or for limiting mechanical tolerances between the door panels 3 and adjacent structures supporting them or guiding their motion.

[0065] FIGS. 2 to 4 show details of a conventional elevator door arrangement in which door panels 3 are directly attached to the door mechanism 5. Therein a horizontal oblong through-hole 13 is provided close to an upper edge of the door panel 3 and a vertical oblong through-hole 15 is provided at a corresponding position at a lower edge of the door mechanism 5. The door panel 3 may then be attached to the door mechanism 5 using a screw 17 extending through both oblong through-holes 13, 15. As long as the screw 17 is not yet tightened, the door panel 3 and the door mechanism 5 may be displaced with respect to each other along the horizontal oblong through-hole 13 in a horizontal direction 19 as well as along the vertical oblong through-hole 15 in a vertical direction 21.

[0066] Accordingly, for example, a lateral gap 23 between lateral sides of the door panel 3 and neighboring columns of the frame 7 may be adjusted by suitably positioning the door panel 3 in the horizontal direction 19. Similarly, a vertical gap (not shown) between a top side of the door panel 3 and a neighboring header of the frame 7 may be adjusted by suitably positioning the door panel 3 in the vertical direction 21.

[0067] However, in such conventional configuration, it may be hard to adjust the vertical position of the door panel 3 without simultaneously also affecting its horizontal position and vice versa. Furthermore, no option exists for adapting a lateral gap for example between the door panel 3 and the sill 11 in another horizontal direction being transverse to the above-mentioned horizontal and vertical directions 19, 21. In other words, in the conventional approach, it was only possible to adjust the position of the door panel 3 in two dimensions and, without taking special care, such position adjusting was to a certain extent interdependent in both directions.

[0068] In order to overcome such deficiency, an elevator door arrangement 1 with 2-dimensional or even 3-dimensional door panel adjustability according to an embodiment of the present invention is proposed. In the following, an elevator door arrangement 1 with 3-dimensional door panel adjustability will be described.

[0069] An overview showing substantial components and features of such elevator door arrangement 1 is shown in FIG. 5. A more detailed perspective partial view is shown in FIG. 6.

[0070] In the elevator door arrangement 1, a door panel 3 is not directly attached to a door mechanism 5 but via an intermediate interface member 25 and an optional lever mechanism 27.

[0071] Therein, the intermediate interface member 25 as well as the door panel 3 and the door mechanism 5 are structurally configured such as to enable cooperating in a way which allows displacing the door panel 3 in all spatial directions with respect to the door mechanism 5.

[0072] In order to establish such 3-dimensional door panel adjustability, various plate sections are provided at the door panel 3, the door mechanism 5 and the intermediate interface member 25. As shown in detail in FIG. 6 for the entire arrangement and in further detail in FIGS. 7 and 8 for the interface member 25 and the door panel 3, respectively, several oblong through-holes are provided in the different plate sections.

[0073] Specifically, the door panel 3 comprises a first fixation plate section 29 extending in a horizontal plane. The first fixation plate section 29 may be provided at or close to an upper edge of the door panel 3. For example, the door panel 3 may be made with a metal sheet. A major portion of this metal sheet forming a vertical plate section 33 extends in a vertical plane including the horizontal width dimension of the door panel 3. The first fixation plate section 29 may be formed by locally bending this metal sheet into the horizontal plane.

[0074] In the first fixation plate section 29, a third oblong through-hole 31 is provided. This third oblong through-hole 31 extends in a second horizontal direction 35 (see FIG. 8). Preferably, this second horizontal direction 35 is orthogonal to the horizontal width dimension of the door panel 3. For example, the third oblong through-hole 31 may have a length-to-width ratio of at least 2:1. For example, the length may be between 1 and 10 cm, preferably between 1 and 5 cm, and the width may be between 0.4 and 2 cm, preferably between 0.6 and 1.2 cm.

[0075] The door mechanism 5 comprises a second fixation plate section 37 extending in a vertical plane. For example, the door mechanism 5 may be made from a metal sheet, a major portion of which extends in the vertical plane including a width direction of the elevator door arrangement 1.

[0076] In the second fixation plate section 37, another oblong through-hole is provided, this through-hole being referred to herein as second oblong through-hole 39. This second oblong through-hole 39 extends in a vertical direction 41. A length-to-width ratio and/or dimensions of this second oblong through-hole 39 may be similar or same as those described for the third oblong through-hole 31.

[0077] The interface member 25 comprises a substantially L-shaped cross section (see particularly FIG. 7). For example, the interface member 25 may be made from a metal sheet bent into the L-shape. The interface member 25 comprises a first interconnection plate section 43 and a second interconnection plate section 45. The first interconnection plate section 43 extends parallel to the horizontal plane in which the first fixation plate section 29 of the door panel 3 extends. The second interconnection plate section 45 extends parallel to the vertical plane in which the second fixation plate section 37 of the door mechanism 5 extends.

[0078] A first oblong through-hole 47 is comprised in the first interconnection plate section 43. This first oblong through-hole 47 extends in a first horizontal direction 49 being perpendicular to the second horizontal direction 35. Preferably, this first horizontal direction 49 is parallel to an extension plane of the door panel 3. A length-to-width ratio and/or dimensions of this first oblong through-hole 47 may be similar or the same as those described for the third oblong through-hole 31. Close to an upper edge of the second interconnection plate section 45, a round through-hole 51 is provided.

[0079] On the one side, the interface member 25 is mechanically attached to the door panel 3 via a first fixation member 53 vertically extending through the first and third oblong through-holes 47, 31. This first fixation member 53 may be a screw 55. A head 57 of such screw 55 may abut to an upper surface of the first interconnection plate section 43 of the interface member 25. A shaft 59 of the screw 55 may extend through the first and third oblong through-holes 47, 31. A nut (not shown) at another end of such screw 55 may abut to a lower surface of the first fixation plate section 29 of the door panel 3. As long as the first fixation member 53 is not yet fixed or tightened, the door panel 3 may already be held at the interface member 25 in the vertical direction 41 but may still be displaced in both horizontal directions 35, 49, as the shaft 59 of the screw 55 may slide along the third oblong through-hole 31 and/or the first oblong through-hole 47. Upon tightening the first fixation member 53, the door panel 3 and the interface member 25 are held in a fixed position relative to each other.

[0080] On the other side, the interface member 25 is mechanically attached to the door mechanism 5 via a second fixation member 61 horizontally extending through the second through-hole 39 in the door mechanism 5. This second fixation member 61 may be a screw 63, a bolt or a similar elongate member. As long as the second fixation member 61 is not yet fixed or tightened, the interface member 25 with the door panel 3 attached thereto may be displaced vertically and a shaft of the second fixation member 61 may slide along the second oblong through-hole 39 in the door mechanism 5.

[0081] In principle, the second fixation member 61 could also be embodied with a screw 63, a head and a nut such that upon tightening the screw, the second interconnection plate section 45 of the interface member 25 is laterally pressed against the second fixation plate section 37 of the door mechanism 5, thereby fixing the interface member 25 and the door mechanism 5 in their relative position. However, in such configuration, the interface member 25 with the door panel 3 attached thereto would have to be manually positioned relative to the door mechanism 5 before then fixing the components relative to each other. Such approach might be difficult as a technician would have to simultaneously hold the weight of the door panel 3 and tighten the screw 63.

[0082] In order to overcome such difficulty, the lever mechanism 27 may be provided at a position functionally intermediate between the interface member 25 and the door mechanism 5.

[0083] As also shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, such lever mechanism 27 comprises an integral lever piece 77 with a first pivoting section 65 being held relative to the door mechanism 5 in the vertical direction 41 and a second pivoting section 67 being displaceably held relative to the door mechanism 5 in the vertical direction 41 via a vertical distance adjustment member 69.

[0084] Therein, the vertical distance adjustment member 69 is configured for changing a vertical distance between the second pivoting section 67 of the lever mechanism 27 and an engagement position 73 at the door mechanism 5. Furthermore, the lever mechanism 27 engages with the second fixation member 61 in a pivoting manner.

[0085] In the embodiment shown, the vertical distance adjustment member 69 is a screw 71. This screw 71 may engage with a threading provided in the second pivoting section 67 of the lever mechanism 27. Accordingly, upon screwing this screw 71, the lever mechanism 27 may be brought into different configurations as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively. Particularly, the vertical distance between the second pivoting section 67 of the lever mechanism 27 and the engagement position 73 at a rim 75 formed at an edge of the door mechanism 5 may be adjusted upon tightening or releasing the screw 71.

[0086] Thus, as the second fixation member 61, on the one hand, engages with the lever mechanism 27 and, on the other hand, is held in the through-hole 51 in the interface member 25, the vertical position of the door panel 3 attached to the interface member 25 may be adjusted by simply screwing the screw 71 in the correct direction. Accordingly, adjusting the vertical position of the door panel 3 is significantly simplified.

[0087] Summarized in a slightly differing wording, the elevator door arrangement described herein may allow a door panel adjustment in three orthogonal directions. The door panel adjustability may be such that a first gap between the door panel and a sill may be adjusted, a second gap between the door panel and a header may be adjusted and a third gap between the door panel and columns are adjusted. The three gaps may be in three directions orthogonal to each other. Thereby, the proposed elevator door arrangement may allow more flexibility during door installation. Furthermore, it may allow a precise adjustment in a vertical direction. Additionally, a vertical distance may be kept in case of a door panel being removed. The elevator door arrangement may be applied to automatic doors with central or lateral opening. Embodiments of the elevator door arrangement may provide for advantages such as: [0088] allow the correction of door panel due to problem in built construction related to align and dimensions; [0089] allow a quick and precise adjustment of distance between sill and door panel; [0090] allow the adjustment of parallelism between the door panel and a column; [0091] keep the position of independent sides even if the door is removed; [0092] cheap solution; [0093] easy to implement solution.

[0094] Finally, it should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined.

[0095] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.