EMERGENCY LIGHTING FOR AN ELEVATOR CAB

• US 20120019141A1
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Inventors: Beignet, Bruno
• Application Number:
  US13/258,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20120019141A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/76
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 11/0233 Lighting systems
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/00 Applications of devices for indicating or signalling operating conditions of elevators
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/02 responsive to abnormal operating conditions

Abstract

An exemplary elevator lighting device includes a display panel that is activated during elevator operation to provide a display of selected information. A backlight portion illuminates the display panel during elevator operation to make the selected information visible on the display panel. The backlight portion receives power from a primary power source during elevator operation. The backlight portion receives power from a backup power source when power from the primary power source is discontinued. The backlight portion illuminates the display panel during the power loss condition to provide light in a vicinity of the device such as within an elevator cab.

Claims

1. An elevator lighting device, comprising:

a display panel that is activated during elevator operation to provide a display of selected information; and

a backlight portion that illuminates the display panel,

wherein during elevator operation the backlight portion receives power from a primary power source and makes the selected information visible on the display panel, and

wherein, in the event the power from the primary power source is discontinued, the backlight portion receives power from a backup power source and illuminates the display panel to provide light in a vicinity of the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the backlight portion comprises at least one light emitting diode.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the backlight portion comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the backlight portion comprises an electroluminescent panel.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the display panel comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

6. The device of claim 1, comprising an elevator car operating panel having a passenger input interface configured to allow a passenger to enter information regarding a desired elevator service and wherein the display panel is distinct from the passenger input interface.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the display panel comprises a touch screen panel that is configured to allow a passenger to enter information regarding a desired elevator service.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the display panel is configured to allow light from the backlight portion to pass through an entire surface of the display panel independent of displaying any information during the power loss condition.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is supported within an elevator cab and the backlight portion provides emergency lighting within the elevator cab during the power loss condition.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the backlight portion illuminates the display panel in the event the power from the primary power source is discontinued independent of the display panel being activated.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the display panel is deactivated in the event the power from the primary power source is discontinued.

12. A method of providing emergency lighting in an elevator cab, comprising the steps of:

illuminating a display panel to provide selected information using a main power supply during elevator operation; and

illuminating the display panel as an emergency source of light in the elevator cab using a backup power supply in the event power from the main power supply is discontinued.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising

allowing light through an entire surface of the display panel when illuminating the display panel as an emergency source of light in the elevator cab.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising

powering a backlight portion using the main power supply during elevator operation;

and

powering the backlight portion using the backup power supply responsive to the power loss condition.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the backlight portion comprises at least one light emitting diode.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the backlight portion comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the display panel comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

18. The method of claim 12, comprising illuminating the display panel as an emergency source of light independent of any selected information on the display panel.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the display panel is deactivated.