Patent Application
20190394548
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an exciter, and more particularly, to system for mounting an exciter within a user interface device, such as a hall call panel of an elevator system.
Elevator systems are provided with multiple user interfaces to enable passengers to access and use the elevator. For example, these interfaces may be used to call an elevator car to travel to different floors within a building. Such user interfaces typically communicate with a user via one or more of a visual and/or audio cue One type of user interface is a hall call panel, typically located proximate an elevator landing door in a hallway, lobby, or landing of an elevator system. A hall call panel may be configured to enable passengers to call an elevator car and/or to provide various types of information to potential passengers. For example, the hall call panel may indicate that an elevator has already been called, or in destination dispatching systems, may indicate to a user, which elevator within a bank of elevators will respond to the call.
According to an embodiment, a mounting assembly includes a body including a generally planar support wall and at least one connector extending from the support wall, an opening formed in the support wall, and an audio exciter coupled to the body via the opening such that a portion of the audio exciter is oriented for contact with a vibrational surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the opening is sized to receive and retain the audio exciter via a friction fit.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the audio exciter applies a pressure to the vibrational surface in a plane oriented parallel to the support wall.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the audio exciter further comprises an exciter body and a flange extending outwardly from an end of the exciter body, the generally planar support wall being disposed in contact with the flange.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one connector is affixable to another surface, distinct from the vibrational surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a height of the at least one connector is less than a height of the audio exciter.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a mounting flange extending from a distal end of the at least one connector, the mounting flange being affixable to another surface, distinct from the vibrational surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the mounting flange has a length of up to 7 mm.
According to another embodiment, a user interface device includes a body, a mechanism for receiving a user input, an audio exciter, and a primary support for mounting the audio exciter at a desired position in contact with a vibration surface of the body. A secondary support for mounting the audio excited includes an opening within which a portion of the audio exciter is positioned. The secondary support retains the audio exciter at the desired position in contact with a vibration surface of the body. The secondary support is distinct from the primary support.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary support provides redundancy in the event of a failure of the primary support.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary support is coupled to the audio exciter via an interference fit.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the opening is equal to or slightly smaller than the audio exciter.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the primary support is an adhesive material disposed between the audio exciter and the surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the audio exciter further comprises an exciter body and a flange extending outwardly from an end of the exciter body, the secondary support being disposed in contact with and applying a pressure to the flange.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary support further comprises a support wall oriented generally parallel to the flange, the opening for receiving the audio exciter being formed in the support wall.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary support further comprises at least one connector extending from the support wall.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one connector is affixable to another surface, distinct from the vibrational surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary support further comprises a mounting flange extending from the at least one connector, the mounting flange being affixable to another surface, distinct from the vibrational surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the user interface device is a component of an elevator system.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the user interface device is a hall call panel.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the user interface device is a car operating panel.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
With reference to
The tension members 26 are arranged in frictional contact with a machine 32. The machine 32 may include a motor or similar driving mechanism and is configured to control movement of the elevator car 22 and the counterweight 24. In an embodiment, the machine 32 is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system 20. The overhead structure may be located in a separate machine room, or alternatively, may be located adjacent an upper landing, within the hoistway 38.
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the elevator controller 36 is located in a controller room 40 within the hoistway 38 and is configured to control operation of the elevator system 20, and in particular, movement of the elevator car 22 between a plurality of landings 42. For example, the elevator controller 36 may provide drive signals to the machine 32 to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car 22. The elevator controller 36 may also receive position signals form the position encoder 34. Although shown in a controller room 40, embodiments where the elevator controller 36 is located at another position relative to the elevator system 20 are also within the scope of the disclosure. Further, although shown and described with a roping system including one or more tension members 26, an elevator system 20 that employs another method and/or mechanism for moving the elevator car 22 within the hoistway 38 between the plurality of landings 42 is also contemplated herein.
An elevator system 20, such as system of
An example of a user interface device 50 is illustrated in more detail in
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the user interface device 50 includes a visual display 54 configured to provide a user with information regarding the status of the elevator system. For example, the display 54 may indicate a current operational status of the elevator system 20, such as the position of the elevator car 22 within the hoistway 38. Alternatively, or in addition, the display 54 may indicate which elevator of a bank of elevators will answer the hall call entered by the user. In another embodiment, the user interface device 50 may include an audio mechanism 56, such as a speaker for example, configured to provide a user with audio information regarding the status of the elevator system 20. For example, the audio mechanism 56 may announce the current location of the elevator car 22, or may announce which elevator of a bank of elevators will answer the hall call entered by the user.
With reference now to
As best shown in
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the surface 62 of the user interface device 50 is formed from a panel or sheet of a glass material. However, embodiments where the surface 62 is formed from another suitable material are also within the scope of the disclosure. A primary support 64 is used to retain the audio exciter 56 at a desired position relative to the surface 62 of the user interface device 50. In an embodiment, the primary support 64 includes an adhesive, such as glue for example, that is used to affix a portion of the audio exciter 56 to the glass surface 62. In an embodiment, the adhesive 64 is applied to the body 60 of the audio exciter 56, such as to a planar major surface thereof for example, and the major surface of the body 60, including the adhesive, is then disposed in contact with the surface 62 of the device 50.
The primary support or attachment 64 between the audio exciter 56 and the surface 62 of the user interface device 50 may be susceptible to various types of failure, causing the audio exciter 56 to separate from the surface 62. For example, the adhesion between the audio exciter 56 and the surface 62 may degrade due to fluctuations in temperature and/or humidity. Alternatively, or in addition, vibrations experienced by the user interface device 50 may cause the audio exciter 56 to separate from the surface 62. To prevent this separation, a secondary support 70 may be used to mount the audio exciter 56 within the user interface device 50. The secondary support 70 may provide redundancy such that in the event of a failure of the primary support 64, the audio exciter 56 remains in contact with the surface 62 of the user interface device 50 and, thus, continues to function properly.
With reference to
The free end of at least one connector 74 is configured to couple the mounting bracket 70 to a surface of the user interface device 50. In an embodiment, the at least one connector 74 includes a mounting flange 80 extending at an angle to the connector 74. In an embodiment, the mounting flange 80 has a length of up to about 7 mm. The at least one connector 74, or alternatively, the mounting flange 80 may be operable to couple to a surface of the user interface device 50, separate from the surface 62 to which the audio exciter 56 is mounted. For example, the first connector 74a and the first mounting flange 80a extending therefrom may couple to a first side of the user interface device 50 arranged adjacent the surface 62, and the second connector 74b and the second mounting flange 80b extending therefrom may couple to a second side of the user interface device 50 located adjacent the surface 62. The mounting bracket 70 may couple to the user interface device 50 via any suitable connection mechanism, including, but not limited to an adhesive or one or more fasteners for example.
The support wall 72 has a length and width greater than the audio exciter 56. In an embodiment, an opening or through hole 82 is formed in the support wall 72. Although the opening 82 is illustrated as being located at a center of the support wall 72, embodiments where the opening 82 is offset from the center, such as near the first end 76 or a second opposite end 78 for example, are also within the scope of the disclosure. As best shown in
Inclusion of the mounting bracket 70 allows the exciter 56 to remain in contact with the vibrating surface 62 of the user interface device 50, thereby ensuring continued functionality of the exciter 56 in the event that the adhesive 64 coupling the exciter 56 to the vibrating surface 62 of the user interface device 50 fails.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
