BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to elevator systems, and more specifically to elevator door safety control.

In today's environment, elevator systems are used to conveniently and efficiently transport people and goods in buildings having multiple floors. Elevators can be designed to transport various numbers of people and/or support different weights of cargo. Depending on the intended use of the elevator, such as moving cargo in a service elevator or carrying travelling passengers to various office or residential spaces, the presentation of the inside of the elevators can vary from padded walls to elegant mirrors and designs for the passengers enjoyment. In addition, various displays and audio can be provided to occupy the passengers until their destination is met. Regardless of the elevator design, the safety and protection of the cargo and passengers must be provided for.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment, a method for operating a sensing device of an elevator door safety control system is provided. The method includes charging one or more portions of an elevator system, the elevator system includes an elevator door and elevator frame, and monitoring a charge on the one or more portions of the elevator system. The method also includes detecting a change in the charge on the one or more portions of the elevator system, and responsive to the detection, controlling an operation of the elevator door.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include detecting the change in charge on the elevator door.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include detecting the change in charge on the elevator frame.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include reversing the operation of the elevator door responsive to the detection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include stopping an operation of the elevator door responsive to the detection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include resuming the operation of the elevator door after a configurable delay and detecting normal operating current in the elevator.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include reducing a speed of the elevator door responsive to the detection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include reducing a speed of the elevator door in the reverse direction responsive to the detection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include the elevator door or the elevator frame being composed of a metal capable of being charged by the energy source.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include operating the elevator door according to a first operation upon the detection in a first location based on operating in a first direction and operating the elevator door according to a second operation upon the detection in a second location, wherein the first operation is different than the second operation and the first location is different than the second location.

According to one embodiment, an elevator control safety system, the system having one or more elevator cars of an elevator system, the one or more elevator cars each include an elevator door and frame, and an energy source coupled to the one or more elevator cars. The elevator control safety system includes a current sensor electrically coupled to the energy source and the one or more elevator cars to perform a detection, and an elevator controller operably coupled to the current sensor and the elevator system, the elevator controller configured to control the elevator door responsive to a signal received from the current sensor.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include detecting the change in charge on the elevator door.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include detecting the change in charge on the elevator frame.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include reversing the operation of the elevator door responsive to the detection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include stopping the operation of the elevator door responsive to the detection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include resuming the operation of the elevator door after a configurable delay and detecting normal operating current in the elevator.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include reducing a speed of the elevator door responsive to the detection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include reducing a speed of the elevator door in the reverse direction responsive to the detection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include the elevator door or the elevator frame being composed of a metal capable of being charged by the energy source.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include operating the elevator door according to a first operation upon the detection in a first location based on operating in a first direction and operating the elevator door according to a second operation upon the detection in a second location, wherein the first operation is different than the second operation and the first location is different than the second location.

