A dynamic group control optimization management system and method for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings

Abstract

The present invention discloses a dynamic group control optimization management system and method for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings, which is suitable for centralized group control systems of two or more elevators in high-rise buildings. Each elevator can be independently controlled, or several elevators can be selected for centralized group control, flexibly and efficiently adapting to different application scenarios. All single elevators include the same equipment, but share a Siemens S7-300 controller, which provides control algorithms for each single elevator. And each elevator can independently go up or down without affecting each other's operation. When multiple elevators need to be group-controlled, only the elevators that need to be group-controlled need to be associated with the external call buttons. The present invention dynamically selects and assigns elevator numbers by using the shortest target floor distance optimization algorithm by real-time obtaining the status information of the group-controlled elevators, so that the fastest and most suitable elevator can be assigned to the external call signal of the floor without affecting the arrival of the existing target floors of the elevators, improving the elevator group control service efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of elevator control, and specifically to a dynamic group control optimization management system and method for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, urban buildings tend to develop towards high-rise and super-high-rise buildings. The traditional elevator control strategy is single independent control. In the waiting halls on each floor, there are waiting hall call buttons for registering waiting hall calls. When a passenger presses the external call (up / down) button on the corresponding floor, the elevator car responds and arrives at the floor where the passenger's external call is registered. When the passenger enters the elevator and presses the in-car call button, the elevator arrives at the passenger's target floor according to the single elevator operation logic. Then the elevator door opens, the in-car call light goes out, the passenger gets out of the car, the elevator door closes, and the elevator automatically arrives at the next target floor.

[0003] The combined use of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a frequency conversion controller, as well as the comprehensive application of high-level languages combined with languages such as ladder diagrams and FBD, make the elevator operation reliable and efficient. At the same time, in terms of program control, complex algorithm control strategies can be relatively easily implemented.

[0004] Existing elevator group control strategies are mostly static group control strategies. Usually, according to the operating states of different elevators when passengers press the external call buttons, the target elevator is selected to respond to the passengers' external call instructions through group control algorithms (time optimal, distance optimal, etc.). Generally, the multi-elevator group control operation is a time-varying non-linear system, and the elevator states and parameters change in real time. In addition, the time when the elevator stops at a floor and passengers get in and out of the elevator is a time-varying factor. The inherent uncertainty, non-linearity, and complexity of the elevator itself often make the elevator initially selected by the static group control strategy not necessarily the best choice.

[0005] Existing elevator group control dynamic control strategies often need to obtain some parameters of group control intelligent algorithms through self-learning. These parameters are often empirical values. When the elevator operating state is normal, better effects can be obtained than the static group control strategy. However, the elevator group control itself is a time-varying non-linear system, and the elevator operating parameters will change, resulting in inaccurate calculation of the optimal target elevator and chaotic external call responses, reducing the efficiency of the elevator group control itself. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To overcome the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention provides a dynamic group control optimization management system and method for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings to solve at least one of the above technical problems.

[0007] According to one aspect of the specification of the present invention, there is provided a dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings, including a central console, a controller, and at least two independent elevators; the central console HMI and the controller complete software configuration in programming software and achieve hardware connection through Ethernet communication; the controller is communicatively connected to the frequency converters of each independent elevator for obtaining the status information and floor external call information of the elevators, and sending control instructions to the target elevator; the controller integrates a single elevator control algorithm and a multi-elevator group control algorithm, and when the group control mode is triggered, the multi-elevator group control algorithm is used to determine the target elevator.

[0008] The above technical solution uses the controller to obtain the status information of each elevator system in real time, process the status information, and when group control is required, select the elevator with the shortest running distance to respond to the external call floor based on the current status of each elevator, and control the group operation of the elevators through instructions, which has the effects of energy saving and relatively high efficiency, and is applicable to the group control strategies of two or more elevators.

[0009] Furthermore, the above technical solution does not distinguish between the stationary or running states of the elevators, and can regard the elevator being stationary as a motion state with a speed of zero to simplify the logic classification of the elevator group control algorithm.

[0010] Furthermore, the controller sets a direction signal flag for each single elevator and retains the direction of the elevator's operation at the previous moment, even when the elevator is in a stationary state, to distinguish the elevator direction signal on the display screen.

[0011] Optionally, a redundant controller can be set, and this redundant controller is respectively communicatively connected to each independent elevator. The redundant controller also completes software configuration with the central console HMI in programming software and achieves hardware connection through Ethernet communication. The central console can monitor the operating parameters of the controller and the redundant controller, and when it monitors that the operating parameters of the controller reach the safe threshold range, control the circuit to switch to the redundant controller to facilitate the maintenance and repair of the controller and avoid elevator operation failures caused by controller failures.

[0012] Furthermore, the central console can also set an operation cycle, and after the end of one operation cycle, control the controller and the redundant controller to switch once.

[0013] As a further technical solution, the logic of the single elevator control algorithm is: following the strategy of preferentially responding to the target floor instructions in the current running direction, the running state information of a single elevator is provided by each independent elevator control system, and the farthest target floor in the running direction of the elevator is taken as the farthest target floor of the elevator by taking the maximum or minimum floor from the currently registered target floors of the elevator.

[0014] As a further technical solution, the triggering time of the group control mode is within a preset time when the outgoing call light is on or within the system timing period.

[0015] As a further technical solution, the logic of the multi - elevator group control algorithm is: obtain the operating states of each elevator and the floor outgoing call information; calculate the running distances of each elevator to the outgoing call target floor; and assign the elevator with the minimum distance to the floor where the outgoing call signal is issued.

[0016] Further, the obtained operating states of each elevator also include the running directions of each elevator at the previous moment. When performing elevator group control, the in - car call signals of each elevator are independent and follow the strategy of preferentially responding to the target floor instructions in the current running direction.

[0017] To prevent the elevator operation logic from being chaotic, the target floor assignment must occur when the elevator is running at normal speed and when it is stationary, and the target floor cannot be assigned when the elevator is decelerating or braking.

[0018] As a further technical solution, the controller is also used to perform an associated setting on the outgoing call buttons of multiple elevators that need to be group - controlled.

[0019] As a further technical solution, the controller is also used to set the group control bit, and after the group control bit is triggered, execute the multi - elevator group control algorithm.

[0020] As a further technical solution, the controller is also used to eliminate faulty elevators according to the obtained elevator status information. The elevator status information obtained in real time by the controller also includes elevator fault signals. Before executing the group control algorithm, the controller can eliminate the elevators that send fault signals and perform centralized group control management on the remaining multiple elevators.

[0021] Further, the control system can automatically ignore the fault signals that have been sent for less than the preset time.

[0022] As a further technical solution, the multi - elevator group control algorithm is implemented using multiple background function blocks and SCL language. This setting can effectively save the system space address and increase the generality and portability of the program code.

[0023] According to one aspect of the specification of the present invention, there is provided a dynamic group control optimization management method for multiple elevators in high - rise buildings, including:

[0024] Perform an associated setting on the outgoing call buttons of multiple elevators that need to be group - controlled;

[0025] After detecting that the group control bit is triggered, execute the multi - elevator group control algorithm;

[0026] Obtain the outgoing call floor number and calculate the running distances of each elevator to the outgoing call floor;

[0027] Assign the elevator with the minimum distance to the external call floor;

[0028] The assigned elevator responds to the external call instruction and operates the elevator to reach the external call target floor.

[0029] As a further technical solution, the method further includes: when the floor external call light is not detected to be on or the group control control bit is not triggered, each elevator operates independently.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0031] (1) The present invention uses a controller to obtain the status information of each elevator system in real time, processes the status information, and when group control is required, selects the elevator with the shortest running distance to respond to the external call floor based on the current status of each elevator, and controls the group control operation of the elevator through instructions, which has the effects of energy saving and relatively high efficiency, and is applicable to the group control control strategies of two or more elevators.

[0032] (2) The present invention realizes the dynamic group control optimization management of multiple elevators by combining the triggering of group control by the lighting of the external call light and the triggering of group control automatically at regular intervals, ensuring the effectiveness and real-time performance of the elevator group control algorithm. Description of the Drawings

[0033] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a multi-elevator group control optimization management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 It is a group control flow chart of an elevator responding to a floor external call light according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figures 3(a)-(b) are schematic diagrams of the associated settings of multi-elevator external call buttons according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figures 4(a)-(b) are schematic diagrams of external call group control for dispatching elevators according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of an automatic timing trigger elevator group control algorithm according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0038] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] The present invention is suitable for a centralized group control system of two or more elevators in high-rise buildings. Each elevator can be independently controlled, or several elevators can be selected for centralized group control, flexibly and efficiently adapting to different application scenarios. A single elevator system includes: a Siemens S7-300 controller, a car, a frequency converter, a motor, an electric motor brake, an in-car call button (assuming floors 1 to 10), a car open and close door button, an external call up and down button (for a total of 10 floors), a digital tube floor display inside and outside the car, an elevator up and down indicator, and other sensors. Other single elevators also include the same equipment, but share a Siemens S7-300 controller, which provides the control algorithm for each single elevator. And each elevator can independently go up or down without affecting each other's operation. To facilitate the implementation of the group control algorithm for multiple elevators, the elevator group control algorithm function is separately implemented in the SCL high-level language. When group control of multiple elevators is required, only the elevators to be group-controlled need to be associated with the external call buttons. By obtaining the status information of the group-controlled elevators in real time, the present invention dynamically selects and allocates elevator numbers using the shortest target floor distance optimization algorithm, so that the fastest and most suitable elevator can be allocated to the external call signal of the floor without affecting the arrival of the existing target floors of the elevator, improving the service efficiency of the elevator group control.

[0040] On the one hand, the present invention provides a dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings, including a central console, a controller, and at least two independent elevators; the central console HMI and the controller complete software configuration in the programming software and achieve hardware connection through Ethernet communication; the controller is communicatively connected to the frequency converter of each independent elevator, used to obtain the status information and floor external call information of the elevator, and send control instructions to the target elevator; the controller integrates a single elevator control algorithm and a multi-elevator group control algorithm, and when the group control mode is triggered, the multi-elevator group control algorithm is used to determine the target elevator.

[0041] As Figure 1 shown, such a dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators includes multiple independent elevators, a controller, and a central console. The multiple independent elevators include their respective cars, motors, motor brakes, in-car call buttons, floor and up and down displays, external call buttons and floor displays on each floor, etc. The controller uses a Siemens S7-300 controller, and the frequency converters of each independent elevator are communicatively connected to the controller independently through Ethernet. The sensor limits and buttons can also be connected by hard-wired points. The S7-300 controller collects the status information of each elevator system and commands the group control operation of the elevator (a spare S7-300 controller can be used for redundant design).

[0042] Advantages of this elevator group control optimization algorithm: It is practically feasible and highly adaptable. It is applicable to the group control strategies of two or more elevators. It can obtain the dynamic state information of each current elevator in real time, and based on this, select the elevator with the shortest running distance for the current floor's external call signal, achieving energy conservation and relatively high efficiency.

[0043] This elevator group control optimization algorithm is a distance-optimal calculation made in response to the lighting of the external call button lights on each floor of the building. It is an optimized elevator group control algorithm based on the principle that a single elevator gives priority to responding to the target floor in the same running direction.

[0044] The above elevator group control algorithm needs to obtain information such as the current floor of each elevator participating in the group control and the farthest target floor registered in the running direction to make a selection. During the operation of the elevator, when the farthest target floor and the current floor of the elevator change, the elevator number responding to the external call will also change accordingly. Therefore, it is crucial to dynamically obtain the farthest target floor of a single elevator.

[0045] When the elevator responds to an external call and arrives at the corresponding floor, the external call light goes out and the elevator door opens. The external call-assigned elevator number corresponding to this external call will be cleared to prevent the group control system from misassigning the elevator when the external call light flashes momentarily next time.

[0046] Each elevator can operate independently or be centrally group-controlled. Since the external call buttons of each elevator are independent, before elevator group control, it is necessary to make an associated setting for the external call buttons of the elevators participating in the group control. At the same time, a group control position needs to be set for the elevator group control.

[0047] When an elevator fails, the group control algorithm will automatically exclude this faulty elevator from participating in the group control. To improve the elevator control efficiency, the elevator failure signal needs to be maintained for more than 2 seconds before the elevator group control will regard this elevator as a faulty elevator. After the elevator failure signal disappears, it will participate in the group control for elevator assignment again.

[0048] Considering the effectiveness and real-time nature of the elevator group control algorithm, the operation of the elevator group control algorithm is triggered within 0.5 seconds after the floor external call light is on and the system automatically triggers the external call group control algorithm for elevator assignment every 2 seconds of the state. Therefore, it is possible to dynamically select the optimal external call-assigned elevator number according to the current real-time operation of each elevator.

[0049] On the one hand, the present invention also provides a dynamic group control optimization management method for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings. This method is based on the analysis and implementation of a single elevator operation system and is realized based on the operation mechanism and hardware composition of a single motor. Here, a single elevator adopts the strategy of giving priority to responding to the target floor instructions in the current running direction, and the operation state information of a single elevator is provided by each independent elevator control system.

[0050] Based on this single elevator operation strategy, the present invention designs a shortest distance group control scheduling algorithm, which can be calculated in real time according to the actual operation conditions of each elevator. It is a group control algorithm for dynamically calculating the shortest distance of elevator operation, and the algorithm implementation method is realized by using multiple background function blocks and the high-level language SCL. Figure 2 It is the group control flowchart of the elevator response external call lamp. The specific group control algorithm includes the following steps:

[0051] Step 1: First, it is necessary to obtain the operating status of each elevator, including: the current floors X1 to X3 of Elevator 1# to 3#; the running direction flag bits flag1 to flag3 of Elevator 1# to 3# (1 for upward and 0 for downward); the farthest target floors max1 to max3 in the current running direction of Elevator 1# to 3# (the farthest target floor can be calculated as the farthest target floor that the current elevator needs to reach from the target floors registered by the in-car call or external call of a single elevator); the floor Y of the elevator external call

[0052] Step 2: Calculate the distances L1 to L3 for the three elevators to run to the external call target floor (including the elevator needs to return to reach the external call floor). Since the elevator is affected by the in-car call and external call command signals, the elevator often needs to stop at other floors multiple times before it can reach the external call target floor.

[0053] Step 3: The elevator has states such as stationary, decelerating, normal speed, upward running, and downward running. What differentiates the group control algorithm of the present invention from other group control algorithms is that it does not need to consider whether the elevator is stationary or in the running state, because stationary can be regarded as a motion state with a speed of zero. Only the running direction information of the elevator at the previous moment needs to be considered to control the elevator group control algorithm, which simplifies the classification of the group control algorithm and conforms to the actual application situation.

[0054] Step 4: The elevator group control algorithm of the present invention dynamically calculates in real time the distances that each elevator needs to run to reach the external call target floor, compares the minimum distance, and assigns the elevator number that is most suitable to respond to the external call signal. The elevator number that responds to the external call signal will change with the change of the status information of each elevator (#1 to #3).

[0055] Here, taking Elevator 1# as an example to calculate the elevator running distance L1, the calculation processes of the running distances L2 of Elevator 2# and L3 of Elevator 3# are the same as that of L1.

[0056] I. When the upward external call lamp of floor Y is on:

[0057] If the current floor X1 of Elevator 1# > the external call floor Y, and the running direction flag1 of Elevator 1# = 1 (upward), then the running distance L1 of Elevator 1# = |max1 - X1| + |max1 - Y|;

[0058] If the current floor X1 of Elevator 1 > the called floor Y, and the running direction flag1 of Elevator 1 = 0 (downward), then the running distance L1 of Elevator 1 = |max1 - X1| + |max1 - Y|;

[0059] If the current floor X1 of Elevator 1 <= the called floor Y, and the running direction flag1 of Elevator 1 = 1 (upward), then the running distance L1 of Elevator 1 = |Y - X1|;

[0060] If the current floor X1 of Elevator 1 <= the called floor Y, and the running direction flag1 of Elevator 1 = 0 (downward), then the running distance L1 of Elevator 1 = |max1 - X1| + |max1 - Y|;

[0061] II. When the downward call light on the floor Y is on:

[0062] If the current floor X1 of Elevator 1 >= the called floor Y, and the running direction flag1 of Elevator 1 = 1 (upward), then the running distance L1 of Elevator 1 = |max1 - X1| + |max1 - Y|;

[0063] If the current floor X1 of Elevator 1 >= the called floor Y, and the running direction flag1 of Elevator 1 = 0 (downward), then the running distance L1 of Elevator 1 = |X1 - Y|;

[0064] If the current floor X1 of Elevator 1 < the called floor Y, and the running direction flag1 of Elevator 1 = 1 (upward), then the running distance L1 of Elevator 1 = |max1 - X1| + |max1 - Y|;

[0065] If the current floor X1 of Elevator 1 < the called floor Y, and the running direction flag1 of Elevator 1 = 0 (downward), then the running distance L1 of Elevator 1 = |max1 - X1 + |max1 - Y|;

[0066] Step 5: When the elevator reaches the called target floor, the call light goes out after a 0.5 - second delay, and the group control algorithm will automatically clear the assigned elevator number of the corresponding call light to prevent incorrect elevator assignment without passing through the group control algorithm calculation during call elevator assignment, resulting in incorrect elevator operation.

[0067] The above - mentioned group control algorithm considers the actual situation of group - controlled elevator assignment in various cases and has been verified by the simulation algorithm. Based on this algorithm, the priorities can be set when multiple elevators are at the same distance from the called target floor and the priorities for elevators to respond to call signals from different interval floors. The priority order of low - floor elevators is Elevator 1 ~ Elevator 2 ~ Elevator 3, the priority order of middle - floor elevators is Elevator 2 ~ Elevator 3 ~ Elevator 1, and the priority order of high - floor elevators is Elevator 3 ~ Elevator 2 ~ Elevator 1.

[0068] Since the elevator group control system is centrally controlled, to ensure the reasonable effectiveness of the group control algorithm, it is usually necessary to obtain the status information of the current target elevator operation and make a judgment. When each elevator operates independently, the external call buttons are independent of each other. When the elevator centralized group control mode is adopted, it is necessary to make an associated setting for the external calls of different elevators, as shown in Figures 3(a)-(b).

[0069] Elevator group control is the elevator allocation action made for the external call signals on each floor. Therefore, the elevator group control algorithm should collect, calculate the external call signals on each floor of the building, and give the elevator allocation number for each external call signal on the floor, as shown in Figures 4(a)-(b).

[0070] To ensure the effectiveness and real-time performance of the elevator group control algorithm, the operation of the elevator group control algorithm must be triggered within 0.5 seconds after the external call light on the floor is turned on. Since the elevator status changes at all times, it is difficult to ensure the best elevator allocation by only triggering the group control algorithm at the moment when the external call light is turned on. The system automatically triggers the external call group control algorithm for elevator allocation every 2 seconds according to the status, as Figure 5 shown.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings, characterized in that, It includes a central console, a controller and at least two independent elevators; the HMI of the central console and the controller complete software configuration in programming software and achieve hardware connection through Ethernet communication; the controller is communicatively connected to the frequency converters of each independent elevator, used to obtain the status information and floor external call information of the elevator, and send control instructions to the target elevator; The controller integrates a single-elevator control algorithm and a multi-elevator group control algorithm. When the group control mode is triggered, the multi-elevator group control algorithm is used to determine the target elevator; the triggering opportunity of the group control mode is within the preset time when the floor external call light is on and the system automatically triggers the external call group control algorithm to assign elevators every regular time period, so as to dynamically select the optimal external call elevator number according to the current real-time operation conditions of each elevator; the logic of the multi-elevator group control algorithm is: obtain the operation status and floor external call information of each elevator; Calculate the running distance of each elevator to the external call target floor; assign the elevator with the minimum distance to the floor where the external call signal is sent; the obtained operation status of each elevator also includes the running direction of each elevator at the previous moment. When performing elevator group control, the internal call signals of each elevator are independent and follow the strategy of preferentially responding to the target floor instructions in the current running direction.

2. The dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings according to claim 1, wherein, The logic of the single-elevator control algorithm is: follow the strategy of preferentially responding to the target floor instructions in the current running direction. The operation status information of a single elevator is provided by each independent elevator control system, and the farthest target floor in the running direction of the elevator is taken as the farthest target floor of the elevator by taking the maximum or minimum floor from the currently registered target floors of the elevator.

3. The dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings according to claim 1, wherein, The triggering opportunity of the group control mode is within the preset time when the external call light is on or within the system timing period.

4. The dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings according to claim 1, wherein, The logic of the multi-elevator group control algorithm is: obtain the operation status and floor external call information of each elevator; calculate the running distance of each elevator to the external call target floor; assign the elevator with the minimum distance to the floor where the external call signal is sent.

5. The dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings according to claim 4, characterized in that, The controller is also used to perform associated setting on the external call buttons of multiple elevators that need group control.

6. The dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings according to claim 4, characterized in that The controller is also used to set the group control bit, and after the group control bit is triggered, execute the multi-elevator group control algorithm.

7. The dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings according to claim 4, characterized in that The controller is also used to exclude faulty elevators according to the obtained elevator status information.

8. The dynamic group control optimization management system for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings according to claim 4, characterized in that The multi-elevator group control algorithm is implemented by using multiple background function blocks and SCL language.

9. A dynamic group control optimization management method for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings, characterized in that, It includes: Perform associated setting on the external call buttons of multiple elevators that need group control; After detecting that the group control bit is triggered, execute the multi-elevator group control algorithm; The triggering opportunity of the group control mode is within the preset time when the floor external call light is on and the system automatically triggers the external call group control algorithm to assign elevators every regular time period, so as to dynamically select the optimal external call elevator number according to the current real-time operation conditions of each elevator; Obtain the operation status and external call floor number of each elevator, calculate the running distance of each elevator to the external call floor; the obtained operation status of each elevator also includes the running direction of each elevator at the previous moment. When performing elevator group control, the internal call signals of each elevator are independent and follow the strategy of preferentially responding to the target floor instructions in the current running direction; Assign the elevator with the minimum distance to the external call floor; The assigned elevator responds to the external call indication and runs the elevator to the target floor of the external call.

10. The dynamic group control optimization management method for multiple elevators in high-rise buildings according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: when the floor external call light is not detected to be on or the group control bit is not triggered, each elevator runs independently.

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