Elevator group management methods and elevator group management systems

Abstract

This invention discloses an elevator group management method, comprising the following steps: Step S1, receiving a new elevator request signal; Step S2, for each elevator, determining whether it is an impactful elevator or an unimpactful elevator, wherein an impactful elevator is one that, in responding to the new elevator request signal, would adversely affect passengers already assigned to that elevator, and an unimpactful elevator is one that, in responding to the new elevator request signal, would not adversely affect passengers already assigned to that elevator; Step S3, counting the number of unimpactful elevators; Step S4, allocating responding elevators to the new elevator request signal according to the number of unimpactful elevators; Step S5, controlling the responding elevators to serve the new elevator request signal. The control method and control system of this invention, when controlling the elevator group to respond to a new elevator request signal, can avoid or reduce the impact on passengers already assigned to a particular elevator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of elevator technology, and particularly relates to an elevator group management method and an elevator group management system. Background Technology

[0002] In existing elevator group management systems, when a new passenger request signal is received, the system typically calculates the cost for each elevator to respond to the new request signal. This cost includes factors such as travel distance, travel time (i.e., the timeliness of the elevator's response or the passenger's waiting time), and elevator energy consumption. The system then allocates the passenger request signal to the elevator with the lowest cost. In this allocation strategy, the evaluation of different elevators' responses to the new passenger request signal is based entirely on factors such as elevator operating efficiency and the passenger's waiting time. However, in practice, when a new elevator request signal precedes another assigned but not yet responded-to elevator request signal (e.g., elevator A is currently on the 5th floor (upward), the new elevator request signal is for the 8th floor (upward), and elevator A has already been assigned a request signal for the 18th floor (upward), if elevator A is then assigned to respond to the newly appearing 8th floor (upward) signal, it will inevitably lead to delays in the timeliness of its response to the 18th floor (upward) elevator request signal (i.e., the waiting time will be extended). Therefore, when assigning a responding elevator to a newly appearing 8th floor (upward) signal, in addition to considering the elevator's response evaluation to the new elevator request signal, the adverse effects of the elevator responding to the new elevator request signal on other passengers already assigned to that elevator and / or passengers currently in the car should also be considered. This raises a new technical problem: how to control the elevator group to avoid or reduce the adverse effects on passengers already assigned to a particular elevator when responding to a new elevator request signal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The summary of this invention introduces a series of simplified concepts, all of which are simplifications of existing technologies in the field, and will be further explained in detail in the detailed description section. This summary is not intended to limit the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides an elevator group management method, comprising the following steps:

[0005] Step S1: Receive a new elevator request signal;

[0006] Step S2: For each elevator, determine whether it is an elevator with an impact or an elevator without an impact. An elevator with an impact is an elevator that will have an adverse effect on passengers who have been identified as being served by the elevator due to responding to a new elevator request signal. An elevator without an impact is an elevator that will not have an adverse effect on passengers who have been identified as being served by the elevator due to responding to a new elevator request signal.

[0007] Step S3: Count the number of elevators that have no impact;

[0008] Step S4: Based on the number of elevators without impact, assign a responding elevator to the new elevator request signal according to the following rules:

[0009] Rule 1: If there are multiple elevators that do not affect the elevator, the elevators that do not affect the elevator shall be selected as optional elevators, and a traditional group management algorithm shall be used to select a responding elevator from the optional elevators as a new elevator request signal.

[0010] Rule 2: If only one of the aforementioned unaffected elevators remains, the unaffected elevator shall be used as the responding elevator for the new elevator request signal;

[0011] Rule 3: If no elevator with no impact is available, select a responding elevator from among the elevators for a new elevator request signal in accordance with the principle of minimizing the adverse effects on passengers already identified as being served by that elevator.

[0012] Step S5: Control the response elevator service new elevator request signal.

[0013] Preferably, the passengers identified as being served by the elevator include a first passenger and a second passenger. The first passenger refers to the passenger waiting for the elevator whose boarding request signal has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, and the second passenger refers to the passenger who is currently inside the elevator car.

[0014] Preferably, when the desired elevator travel direction and elevator running direction of the new elevator request signal are consistent with the desired elevator travel direction of an elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, step S2 determines the elevator as an influential elevator if any of the following conditions are met; otherwise, it determines the elevator as an uninfluenced elevator:

[0015] Condition 1: The journey of the new elevator request signal overlaps with the journey of at least one elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to; Condition 2: The journey of the new elevator request signal precedes the journey of at least one elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to; Condition 3: The passenger of the new elevator request signal is in a co-riding phase with at least one second passenger.

[0016] Preferably, step S2 determines whether the condition is met according to the following rule:

[0017] Rule 1: If the destination floor of a new elevator request signal is located before the departure floor of a currently assigned but unresponded elevator request signal, and the departure floor of the new elevator request signal is located after the destination floor of a currently assigned but unresponded elevator request signal, then step S2 determines that condition 1 is met. Rule 2: The starting point is the departure floor of the currently assigned but unresponded elevator request signal closest to the elevator car, and the ending point is the destination floor of the currently assigned but unresponded elevator request signal furthest from the elevator car. If the departure or destination floor of the new elevator request signal is within the maximum travel distance of the elevator currently assigned to the elevator and not yet responded to, then step S2 determines that condition 1 is met; Rule 3: If the destination floor of the new elevator request signal is after the departure floor of the elevator currently assigned to the elevator and not yet responded to, then step S2 determines that condition 2 is met; Rule 4: If the departure floor of the new elevator request signal is between the current position of the elevator car and the destination floor of the second passenger, then step S2 determines that condition 3 is met.

[0018] Preferably, when the elevator's running direction is consistent with the desired elevator direction of a currently assigned elevator request signal that has not yet been responded to, but opposite to the desired elevator direction of a new elevator request signal, step S2 determines that the elevator is an unaffected elevator.

[0019] Preferably, when the elevator's running direction is opposite to the desired riding direction of a riding request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, a first sub-journey is formed from the current position of the elevator car to the end of the current running direction, and a second sub-journey is formed from the end of the current position to the farthest destination floor of the riding request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to. The end of the first sub-journey and the beginning of the second sub-journey are connected to obtain a complete journey. If there is an overlap between the journey of the new riding request signal and the complete journey, step S2 determines that the elevator is an influential elevator; otherwise, it is determined to be an uninfluenced elevator.

[0020] Preferably, when the departure floor or destination floor of the new elevator request signal is within the complete journey, step S2 determines that there is an overlap between the journey of the new elevator request signal and the complete journey; otherwise, it determines that there is no overlap.

[0021] Preferably, the step of selecting a responding elevator from among the elevators for a new elevator request signal according to the principle of minimizing the adverse effects on passengers already identified as being served by that elevator further includes:

[0022] Sub-step A1: Construct an evaluation index for quantifying the adverse effects, wherein the evaluation index is a pre-determined quantitative index used to characterize the adverse effects of the elevator responding to the new elevator request signal on passengers already served by the elevator; Sub-step A2: Calculate the evaluation index for the adverse effects of each affected elevator; Sub-step A3: Select the affected elevator corresponding to the optimal evaluation index as the responding elevator for the new elevator request signal.

[0023] Preferably, the evaluation index is a monotonically increasing function of at least one of the following independent variables: the degree of the adverse effect, the duration of the adverse effect, and the number of passengers affected.

[0024] The present invention also provides an elevator group management system, comprising:

[0025] Receiving unit: Used to receive new elevator request signals from the waiting halls on each floor;

[0026] Judgment Unit: Used to determine whether each elevator is an impactful elevator or an unimpactful elevator. An impactful elevator is one that, in response to a new elevator request signal, adversely affects the use of passengers already identified as being served by that elevator. An unimpactful elevator is one that, in response to a new elevator request signal, does not adversely affect the use of passengers already identified as being served by that elevator.

[0027] Statistical unit: used to count the number of elevators that have no impact based on the judgment result of the judgment unit;

[0028] Selection Unit: Based on the statistical results of the statistical unit, selects the rule for assigning a responding elevator to a new elevator request signal and outputs the selected rule;

[0029] Allocation Unit: Assigns a responding elevator to a new elevator request signal using the selected rules and outputs the responding elevator;

[0030] Control unit: Controls the elevator to respond to new passenger request signals.

[0031] Compared with the prior art, the control method and control system of the present invention can avoid or reduce the impact on passengers who have been identified as being served by a certain elevator when controlling the elevator group to respond to a new elevator request signal. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate the general characteristics of the methods, structures, and / or materials used in specific exemplary embodiments of the invention, supplementing the description in the specification. However, the drawings are schematic diagrams not drawn to scale and may not accurately reflect the precise structural or performance characteristics of any of the given embodiments. The drawings should not be construed as limiting or restricting the range of numerical values ​​or properties covered by exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the elevator group management method steps in Example 1;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the elevator group management system structure in Example 2. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can fully understand other advantages and technical effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be applied based on different viewpoints, with various modifications or changes made without departing from the overall design concept of the invention. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other. The following exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention thorough and complete, and to fully convey the technical solutions of these exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] This embodiment provides a method for managing elevator groups, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0038] Step S1: Receive a new elevator request signal;

[0039] Step S2: For each elevator, determine whether it is an elevator with an impact or an elevator without an impact. An elevator with an impact is an elevator that will have an adverse effect on passengers who have been identified as being served by the elevator due to responding to a new elevator request signal. An elevator without an impact is an elevator that will not have an adverse effect on passengers who have been identified as being served by the elevator due to responding to a new elevator request signal.

[0040] The passengers identified as being served by the elevator include a first passenger and a second passenger. The first passenger refers to the passenger waiting for the elevator whose boarding request signal has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to. The second passenger refers to the passenger who is currently inside the elevator car.

[0041] For the first passenger, the adverse effects include at least one of the following: increased waiting time, increased time spent moving with the elevator car, increased crowding in the elevator car, and inconvenience caused to fellow passengers by the passenger's belongings in response to a new elevator request signal (e.g., pets, sharp objects, dirt, noise, wheelchairs / stretchers, etc.).

[0042] For the second passenger, the adverse effects include at least one of the following: increased car travel time, increased car crowding, and inconvenience to fellow passengers caused by the passenger's belongings in response to a new elevator request signal (e.g., pets, sharp objects, dirt, noise, wheelchairs / stretchers, etc.).

[0043] Step S3: Count the number of elevators that have no impact;

[0044] Step S4: Based on the number of elevators without impact, assign a responding elevator to the new elevator request signal according to the following rules:

[0045] Rule 1: If there are multiple elevators that do not affect the system, the elevators that do not affect the system shall be selected as optional elevators. The traditional group management algorithm disclosed in Chinese invention patents CN105253728B, CN105836553B and CN103508280B shall be used as a new elevator request signal to select a responding elevator from the optional elevators.

[0046] The aforementioned published documents exemplarily disclose several operating modes of traditional group management algorithms, such as the operating modes mentioned in the background art, including the shortest moving distance, the shortest moving time to reach the elevator call operation floor, or the lowest elevator energy consumption.

[0047] Rule 2: If only one of the aforementioned unaffected elevators remains, the unaffected elevator shall be used as the responding elevator for the new elevator request signal;

[0048] Rule 3: If no elevator with no impact is available, select a responding elevator from among the elevators for a new elevator request signal in accordance with the principle of minimizing the adverse effects on passengers already identified as being served by that elevator.

[0049] Step S5: Control the response elevator service new elevator request signal.

[0050] For each elevator, the specific description of whether it is an affected or unaffected elevator based on its different operating states is as follows:

[0051] Scenario 1: When the desired elevator direction and elevator running direction of the new elevator request signal are consistent with the desired elevator direction of an elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, step S2 determines the elevator as an affected elevator if any of the following conditions are met; otherwise, it determines the elevator as an unaffected elevator:

[0052] Condition 1: The travel distance of the new elevator request signal overlaps with the travel distance of at least one elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to; Condition 2: The travel distance of the new elevator request signal is ahead of the travel distance of at least one elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to (relative to the direction of elevator travel); Condition 3: The passenger of the new elevator request signal is in a co-riding phase with at least one second passenger.

[0053] Step S2 determines whether the condition is met according to the following rule:

[0054] Rule 1: If the destination floor of the new elevator request signal is located in front of the departure floor of the elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to (relative to the direction of elevator travel), and the departure floor of the new elevator request signal is located behind the destination floor of the elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, then step S2 determines that condition 1 is met.

[0055] Rule 2: The maximum travel distance of a currently assigned but unresponded elevator request signal is defined as the starting floor of the elevator car closest to the elevator car and the destination floor of the currently assigned but unresponded elevator request signal furthest from the elevator car. If the starting floor or destination floor of the new elevator request signal is within this maximum travel distance, then step S2 determines that condition 1 is met.

[0056] Rule 3: If the destination floor of the new elevator request signal is located behind (relative to the elevator's direction of travel) the departure floor of the elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, then step S2 determines that condition 2 is met.

[0057] Rule 4: If the departure floor of the new elevator request signal is located between the current position of the elevator car and the destination floor of the second passenger, then step S2 determines that condition 3 is met.

[0058] Scenario 2: When the elevator's running direction is consistent with the desired elevator direction of a currently assigned elevator request signal that has not yet been responded to, but opposite to the desired elevator direction of a new elevator request signal, step S2 determines that the elevator is an unaffected elevator.

[0059] Scenario 3: When the elevator's running direction is opposite to the desired riding direction of a riding request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, a first sub-journey is formed from the current position of the elevator car to the end of the current running direction, and a second sub-journey is formed from the end of the current position to the farthest destination floor of the riding request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to. The end point of the first sub-journey and the beginning point of the second sub-journey are connected to obtain the complete journey (the beginning point is the current position of the elevator car, and the end point is the farthest destination floor of the riding request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to). If the journey of the new riding request signal overlaps with the complete journey, step S2 determines that the elevator is an influencing elevator; otherwise, it is determined to be an uninfluencing elevator.

[0060] When the departure floor or destination floor of the new elevator request signal is within the complete journey, step S2 determines that there is an overlap between the journey of the new elevator request signal and the complete journey; otherwise, it determines that there is no overlap.

[0061] The step of selecting a responding elevator from among the elevators for a new elevator request signal according to the principle of minimizing the adverse effects on passengers already identified as being served by that elevator further includes:

[0062] Sub-step A1: Construct an evaluation index for quantifying the adverse effects, wherein the evaluation index is a pre-determined quantitative index for characterizing the adverse effects of the elevator responding to the new elevator request signal on passengers who have been identified as being served by the elevator.

[0063] Sub-step A2: Calculate the evaluation index of the adverse effects of each affected elevator;

[0064] Sub-step A3: Select the influential elevator corresponding to the optimal evaluation index as the responding elevator for the new elevator request signal.

[0065] The evaluation index is a monotonically increasing function of at least one of the following independent variables: the degree of the adverse effect, the duration of the adverse effect, and the number of passengers affected.

[0066] Example 2

[0067] This embodiment provides an elevator group management system that implements the control method of Embodiment 1.

[0068] like Figure 2 As shown, an elevator group management system includes:

[0069] Receiving unit: Used to receive new elevator request signals from the waiting halls on each floor;

[0070] Judgment Unit: Used to determine whether each elevator is an impactful elevator or an unimpactful elevator. An impactful elevator is one that, in response to a new elevator request signal, adversely affects the use of passengers already identified as being served by that elevator. An unimpactful elevator is one that, in response to a new elevator request signal, does not adversely affect the use of passengers already identified as being served by that elevator.

[0071] Statistical unit: used to count the number of elevators that have no impact based on the judgment result of the judgment unit;

[0072] Selection Unit: Based on the statistical results of the statistical unit, selects a rule for allocating a responding elevator to a new elevator request signal and outputs the selected rule; (the rule here is rule 1, rule 2, or rule 3 in embodiment 1.)

[0073] Allocation Unit: Assigns a responding elevator to a new elevator request signal using the selected rules and outputs the responding elevator;

[0074] Control unit: Controls the elevator to respond to new passenger request signals.

[0075] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It will also be understood that, unless expressly defined herein, terms such as those defined in a general dictionary shall be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant field context, and not as having an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0076] The present invention has been described in detail above through specific embodiments and examples, but these are not intended to limit the invention. Many modifications and improvements can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for managing elevator groups, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: Step S1: Receive a new elevator request signal; Step S2: For each elevator, determine whether it is an elevator with an impact or an elevator without an impact. An elevator with an impact is an elevator that will have an adverse effect on passengers who have been identified as being served by the elevator due to responding to a new elevator request signal. An elevator without an impact is an elevator that will not have an adverse effect on passengers who have been identified as being served by the elevator due to responding to a new elevator request signal. Step S3: Count the number of elevators that have no impact; Step S4: Based on the number of elevators without impact, assign a responding elevator to the new elevator request signal according to the following rules: Rule 1: If there are multiple elevators that do not affect the elevator, the elevators that do not affect the elevator shall be selected as optional elevators, and a traditional group management algorithm shall be used to select a responding elevator from the optional elevators as a new elevator request signal. Rule 2: If only one of the aforementioned unaffected elevators remains, the unaffected elevator shall be used as the responding elevator for the new elevator request signal; Rule 3: If no elevator with no impact is available, select a responding elevator from among the elevators for a new elevator request signal in accordance with the principle of minimizing the adverse effects on passengers already identified as being served by that elevator. Step S5: Control the response elevator service new elevator request signal.

2. The elevator group management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The passengers identified as being served by the elevator include a first passenger and a second passenger. The first passenger refers to the passenger waiting for the elevator whose boarding request signal has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to. The second passenger refers to the passenger who is currently inside the elevator car.

3. The elevator group management method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the desired elevator travel direction and elevator running direction of a new elevator request signal are consistent with the desired elevator travel direction of an elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, step S2 determines the elevator as an influential elevator if any of the following conditions are met; otherwise, it determines the elevator as an uninfluenced elevator: Condition 1: The travel distance of the new elevator request signal overlaps with the travel distance of at least one elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to; Condition 2: The travel distance of the new elevator request signal is ahead of the travel distance of at least one elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator and has not yet been responded to; Condition 3: The passenger making the new elevator request signal is in the same stage as at least one second passenger.

4. The elevator group management method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Step S2 determines whether the condition is met according to the following rule: Rule 1: If the destination floor of the new elevator request signal is located before the departure floor of the elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, and the departure floor of the new elevator request signal is located after the destination floor of the elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, then step S2 determines that condition 1 is met. Rule 2: The maximum travel distance of a currently assigned but unresponded elevator request signal is defined as the starting floor of the elevator car closest to the elevator car and the destination floor of the currently assigned but unresponded elevator request signal furthest from the elevator car. If the starting floor or destination floor of the new elevator request signal is within this maximum travel distance, then step S2 determines that condition 1 is met. Rule 3: If the destination floor of the new elevator request signal is located after the departure floor of the elevator request signal that has been assigned to the elevator and has not yet been responded to, then step S2 determines that condition 2 is met. Rule 4: If the departure floor of the new elevator request signal is located between the current position of the elevator car and the destination floor of the second passenger, then step S2 determines that condition 3 is met.

5. The elevator group management method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the elevator's running direction is consistent with the desired elevator direction of a currently assigned elevator request signal that has not yet been responded to, but opposite to the desired elevator direction of a new elevator request signal, step S2 determines that the elevator is an unaffected elevator.

6. The elevator group management method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the elevator's direction of travel is opposite to the desired direction of a passenger request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to, a first sub-journey is formed from the current position of the elevator car to the end of the current direction of travel. A second sub-journey is formed from the end of the current position to the farthest destination floor of the passenger request signal that has been assigned to the elevator but has not yet been responded to. The end of the first sub-journey and the beginning of the second sub-journey are connected to obtain the complete journey. If there is an overlap between the journey of the new passenger request signal and the complete journey, step S2 determines that the elevator is an affected elevator; otherwise, it is determined to be an unaffected elevator.

7. The elevator group management method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the departure floor or destination floor of the new elevator request signal is within the complete journey, step S2 determines that there is an overlap between the journey of the new elevator request signal and the complete journey; otherwise, it determines that there is no overlap.

8. The elevator group management method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of selecting a responding elevator from among the elevators for a new elevator request signal according to the principle of minimizing the adverse effects on passengers already identified as being served by that elevator further includes: Sub-step A1: Construct an evaluation index for quantifying the adverse effects, wherein the evaluation index is a pre-determined quantitative index for characterizing the adverse effects of the elevator responding to the new elevator request signal on passengers who have been identified as being served by the elevator. Sub-step A2: Calculate the evaluation index of the adverse effects of each affected elevator; Sub-step A3: Select the influential elevator corresponding to the optimal evaluation index as the responding elevator for the new elevator request signal.

9. The elevator group management method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The evaluation index is a monotonically increasing function of at least one of the following independent variables: the degree of the adverse effect, the duration of the adverse effect, and the number of passengers affected.

10. An elevator group management system, characterized in that, include: Receiving unit: Used to receive new elevator request signals from the waiting halls on each floor; Judgment Unit: Used to determine whether each elevator is an impactful elevator or an unimpactful elevator. An impactful elevator is one that, in response to a new elevator request signal, adversely affects the use of passengers already identified as being served by that elevator. An unimpactful elevator is one that, in response to a new elevator request signal, does not adversely affect the use of passengers already identified as being served by that elevator. Statistical unit: used to count the number of elevators that have no impact based on the judgment result of the judgment unit; Selection Unit: Based on the statistical results of the statistical unit, selects the rule for assigning a responding elevator to a new elevator request signal and outputs the selected rule; Allocation Unit: Assigns a responding elevator to a new elevator request signal using the selected rules and outputs the responding elevator; Control unit: Controls the elevator to respond to new passenger request signals.

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