Method for operating an elevator system comprising a specification of a predetermined travel route, elevator system, and elevator controller for carrying out such a method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an elevator system (1) having a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), which can be moved individually between a plurality of floors, wherein in one elevator shaft (3, 4) of the elevator system (1), a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) can be moved simultaneously. In doing so, a predetermined travel route is assigned to an elevator car, or to a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). Said travel route is defined by a sequence of stopping points, which is predetermined in advance for the respective elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and at which the respective elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is to make a scheduled stop. Those elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), to which a travel route is assigned, are then moved in accordance with the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) assigned to the respective elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). The invention further relates to an elevator controller (6), and to an elevator system (1) for carrying out such a method.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating an elevator system, wherein the elevator system comprises a plurality of elevator cars that can be individually moved between a plurality of floors. Several elevator cars of the elevator system can be moved simultaneously in an elevator shaft of the elevator system.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an elevator control and an elevator system for carrying out such a method.

[0003] Such elevator systems are known from WO 2009 / 070143 A1, in particular as ropeless multi-cabin elevator systems with several horizontal and vertical elevator shafts. The cars of such an elevator system are moved largely independently of one another, in particular by means of a linear motor drive. Operating such an elevator system, particularly with regard to efficient movement of the cars in the elevator shafts of the elevator system, presents a major challenge. Destination call controls are often used to operate such elevator systems, in which elevator users indicate the desired destination floor from outside the elevator car. This helps to better assign the elevator cars to the calls made. However, due in particular to individual travel requirements on the part of the elevator users, often only a few people can use the same elevator car.

[0004] For elevator systems with several cars that can be moved in a single shaft, control methods are known from WO 2009 / 070143 A1 and US 2012 / 118672 A1.

[0005] Furthermore, when operating such an elevator system, it is often already necessary to consider that consecutive cars must not approach each other arbitrarily. To prevent collisions between the cars, a minimum distance must always be maintained between consecutive cars. Furthermore, such elevator systems with vertical and horizontal elevator shafts usually have shaft change units so that a car can move from a first elevator shaft to a second elevator shaft. Here, too, when operating such an elevator system, it must be taken into account that, on the one hand, usually only one car can use a shaft change unit. Furthermore, the increased time required for the shaft change must be taken into account.

[0006] Since elevator users often have little experience in the correct operation of such elevator systems, operating errors occur frequently, such as incorrectly entering the destination floor or not all elevator users making a call.

[0007] To take all these aspects into account when operating such an elevator system, increasingly complex algorithms are being developed for elevator operation. The use of more complex algorithms can lead to increased operating and usage complexity for users, which can also increase the number of errors that occur during elevator operation.

[0008] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to improve the operation of an elevator system. In particular, the calculation of the condition of the elevator system is to be simplified. Advantageously, the conveying capacity of an elevator system with multiple cars is to be improved, and the actual conveying capacity is to be made more predictable and easier to plan.

[0009] To achieve this object, a method for operating an elevator system with a plurality of cars that can be individually moved between a plurality of floors, as well as an elevator control system and an elevator system according to the independent claims, are proposed. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the description. Further advantages and features will also become apparent from the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures.

[0010] The proposed solution provides a method for operating an elevator system with a plurality of cars that can be individually moved between a plurality of floors, wherein several cars can be moved simultaneously in an elevator shaft of the elevator system, in particular can be moved laterally and vertically. At least one car from the plurality of cars of the elevator system, in particular several cars of the elevator system or all cars of the elevator system, is assigned a predetermined travel route. The travel route assigned to the at least one car of the elevator system is defined by a sequence of stopping points predetermined for this at least one car, wherein the at least one car is to make a scheduled stop at each of these stopping points. The stopping points are in particular predetermined stops at which elevator users can board and / or disembark from the car.The at least one elevator car is moved according to the travel route assigned to this at least one elevator car. The at least one elevator car therefore advantageously travels to the predetermined stopping points in sequence. Cars of the elevator system can in particular be assigned different travel routes. For example, one embodiment variant can provide in particular that each car of the elevator system is assigned an individual travel route, wherein the travel routes assigned to the cars can differ with regard to the sequence of stopping points. In particular, it is provided that the travel route comprises a starting stopping point and an end stopping point. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that after reaching the end stopping point, the elevator car is moved back to the starting stopping point and is moved again according to the travel route. Advantageously, the starting stopping point and the end stopping point of the travel route are identical.

[0011] Assigning travel routes to the elevator cars advantageously reduces the control effort required to assign cars to calls made by elevator users. In particular, it is intended that those elevator cars in the system to which a travel route is assigned are operated exclusively according to this assigned route, and individual calls made by elevator users are ignored.

[0012] The elevator cars of the elevator system, each of which is assigned a route, are therefore advantageously not moved based on individual calls from elevator users, but rather according to a predefined schedule. In particular, it is provided that a predetermined route is assigned to at least one elevator car, with the stopping points of the route not being defined directly based on calls received from the elevator system for one of these stopping points.

[0013] In particular, an advantageous embodiment provides that each of the elevator cars of the elevator system is assigned a predetermined travel route. In this case, it is particularly provided that the elevator system does not include any means for entering calls for normal elevator operation. Thus, it can be provided that the elevator system still includes operating elements, such as a locking circuit, in special operating modes, for example in the event of a fire, in order to specifically control a car to a floor and thus override the travel route. For normal operation, however, it is particularly provided that the elevator system does not have any operating means for entering calls, i.e. in particular no destination call terminal or input means in the elevator cars for making an internal call. This advantageously greatly simplifies the control effort for operating the elevator system.In particular, it can also be provided that operating devices are deactivated, in particular by deactivating the control system. Advantageously, the operating devices are then deactivated for elevator cars to which a travel route is assigned. In particular, if the assignment of a travel route to a car is only temporary, the deactivation of the operating devices is also advantageously only for this period. Advantageously, the deactivation of the operating devices is signaled accordingly to the elevator users.

[0014] In particular, it can also be provided that the travel route is predetermined by a few stopping points, advantageously at a few stopping points at which many elevator users get in and / or out of a car. Such heavily frequented stopping points can, for example, be one or more of the following floors: ground floor; parking deck; floor with a canteen; floor with shops; floor with many offices. The elevator car will always stop at these stopping points, regardless of whether a call has been received for this floor. At other floors that are not defined as stopping points on the travel route, a car of the elevator system advantageously only stops if a call for this floor has been made and received by the elevator system.

[0015] In particular, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the elevator system comprises a plurality of elevator shafts and / or shaft systems. In particular, it is provided that elevator cars in a subset of these shafts are assigned a predetermined travel route, wherein the travel route is advantageously defined such that a scheduled stop is made by the respective elevator car exclusively at every nth floor, for example, at every fifth floor, where n is a rational integer. It can be provided that the intermediate floors must then be reached, in particular, via stairs, escalators, or local elevators.

[0016] In particular, it can be provided that the at least one car is moved in a circulating operation.

[0017] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the travel route assigned to the at least one car comprises a starting stop from which the travel route of the at least one car begins, and an end stop at which the travel route of the at least one car ends, wherein a defined time interval is specified for the movement of the at least one car from the starting stop to the end stop, and the at least one car is moved in such a way that this at least one car is moved from the starting stop to the end stop within the specified time interval. In particular, it is provided that this at least one car is moved from the starting stop to the end stop exactly after the specified time interval has elapsed. Here, too, the starting stop and the end stop can be defined identically.This configuration advantageously ensures that the at least one elevator car is moved at fixed time intervals according to the travel route. Advantageously, no fixed times or time intervals are specified for the predetermined intermediate stops between the initial stop and the final stop, so that a longer stop can be made at one stop in the sequence of stops if necessary, for example, because many people are boarding there, and a shorter stop can be made at another stop in the sequence of stops, for example, because no people want to board and / or alight there.In order to ensure that the specified time interval for traveling through the specified sequence of stops can be maintained even during periods of heavy traffic, the lift system is provided with appropriate means, such as a so-called nudging function and forced door closing, which prevent a lift car from getting stuck at a stop.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a number of times is specified, at least for a first stopping point from the sequence of stopping points, at which the at least one car repeatedly makes a scheduled stop at this first stopping point. These times can be relative times, i.e. in particular predetermined time intervals, or absolute times, i.e. in particular fixed times. Preferably, such a number of times is specified for each stopping point from the sequence of stopping points. Advantageously, this defines the times at which the cars to which a travel route is assigned to make a stop at which stopping points. This advantageously improves the predictability of the state of the elevator system, in particular the predictability of the behavior and the expected transport capacity of the elevator system.Furthermore, it is advantageously ensured that a car will make a scheduled stop at a stopping point at the latest after the time interval resulting from the specified times has elapsed.

[0019] For example, a travel route can be assigned to a car in the elevator system, which stipulates that the car stops at the ground floor as a stopping point on the route every six minutes, starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m. A corresponding number of times is thus specified for the ground floor as a stopping point in the sequence of stopping points—in this example, 9:00 a.m., 9:06 a.m., 9:12 a.m., 9:18 a.m., ... , 8:54 p.m., 9:00 p.m.—at which the car makes a recurring scheduled stop at the ground floor. Elevator users can advantageously expect a car to stop at this stopping point at these times.

[0020] Advantageously, the predetermined travel route is assigned to at least two cars of the elevator system, with the at least two cars making a scheduled stop at the stopping points of the route at different times. This advantageously increases the transport capacity along the respective travel route. The travel routes assigned to the at least two cars may, in particular, only partially coincide, in particular only with regard to a subset of the stopping points of the respective specified sequence of stopping points.

[0021] In particular, at least one first car and at least one second car are provided as the at least one car of the elevator system, wherein a first travel route is assigned to the at least one first car as a travel route and a second travel route is assigned to the at least one second car as a travel route, wherein the first travel route differs from the second travel route with regard to the sequence of stopping points. This means, in particular, that different travel routes can be assigned to cars of the elevator system. In particular, an embodiment is provided wherein only a single travel route exists, which is assigned to one or more or all cars of the elevator system.However, it is particularly provided as a preferred embodiment that several predetermined, different travel routes exist, wherein these travel routes are assigned to the cars of the elevator system, in particular in such a way that a first travel route is assigned to a first group of cars, a second travel route is assigned to a second group of cars, and an nth travel route is assigned to an nth group of cars, where n is a whole rational number.

[0022] Advantageously, a minimum time interval is specified between the times at which one of the at least two cars makes a scheduled stop at a stopping point in the sequence of stopping points and the time at which a car of the at least two cars following this car makes a scheduled stop at this same stopping point. This advantageously reduces the probability that these two cars will interfere with each other and thus also reduces the occurrence of the so-called "bunching" effect. In particular, it can be provided that at least ten seconds elapse between the times at which the at least two cars make a stop at a stopping point. The specification of this time interval can be determined in particular depending on the required transport capacity at the stopping point and / or along the travel route of the at least two cars.Thus, the time interval is advantageously shorter when a high transport capacity is required than when a low transport capacity is required.

[0023] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, for each of the at least two cars, a time is specified for each stopping point of the sequence of stopping points at which the at least two cars each make a scheduled stop at the respective stopping point.

[0024] With reference to the aforementioned example, it is thus particularly provided that a travel route is assigned to additional cars of the elevator system, with these travel routes including at least the ground floor as a stopping point. Advantageously, for example, eight cars are each assigned a travel route, each of which includes the ground floor as a stopping point for a scheduled stop of the respective car. The times for a scheduled stop of the respective car can be at different distances from each other or can be equally far apart.If the times are equally far apart, it can be planned, for example, that a first car stops at the ground floor at 9:00:00, a second car at 9:00:45, a third car at 9:01:30, a fourth car at 9:02:15, a fifth car at 9:03:00, a sixth car at 9:03:45, a seventh car at 9:04:30, an eighth car at 9:05:15 and then the first car again at 9:06:00, etc. In particular, the routes of the eight cars can be identical with regard to the specified stopping points. However, it can also be provided in particular that, starting from the ground floor, the first car, the third car, the fifth car and the seventh car are each assigned the even floors as stopping points and the second car, the fourth car, the sixth car and the eighth car are each assigned the odd floors as stopping points.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, travel requests from elevator users are recorded, in particular by detecting the calls made or by means of sensors such as cameras, and the recorded travel requests are evaluated, in particular by an elevator control system. The number of elevator cars to which the travel route is assigned is advantageously determined depending on the result of the evaluation of the travel requests. This means that this embodiment particularly provides for elevator users to continue to be able to make calls, in particular destination calls, at the floors. Unlike a conventional method for operating an elevator system, however, a car is not assigned to each individual call; instead, the calls made are used to determine a transport requirement along a previously determined route.If, for example, the number of calls received by the elevator system indicates that the need for transport has increased compared to an earlier time, the predetermined route is advantageously assigned to at least one additional car in the elevator system, and at least one additional car is moved along the predetermined route. Such an increase in demand can occur, for example, in an office building at the end of the working day when many people are making their way home. If, on the other hand, the need for transport along a route is reduced compared to an earlier time, for example because fewer people are in the building in the evening, then the number of cars that are moved according to the route is particularly provided for.In particular, it is intended that the number of calls received by the elevator system and / or the starting floors from which calls are made and / or the destination floors to which elevator users wish to be transported are taken into account as travel requests. In particular, it is intended that if the transport demand along a travel route falls below a specified threshold, the operation of the elevator system will be switched to conventional call delivery, at least until the transport demand again exceeds the threshold.

[0026] Cars of the elevator system that are not assigned a route can be kept in reserve, in particular in a depot area or an unused shaft area, in particular until they are deployed due to increased transport demand. Alternatively or additionally, it is particularly provided that those cars of the elevator system that are not assigned a route are deployed as needed, i.e., in particular, they respond to calls made by elevator users and serve these calls. When moving those cars that are not assigned a route, the travel paths of the cars that are assigned a travel route are advantageously taken into account. Since these travel routes are advantageously defined, advantageously both position-related and time-related, taking these travel paths into account is advantageously easy to implement.

[0027] A further advantageous embodiment provides that travel requests from elevator users are recorded and the recorded travel requests are evaluated. In this case, the travel route assigned to at least one elevator car is advantageously adapted depending on the result of the evaluation. In this embodiment, too, it is provided that the predetermined travel route is not based directly on calls received by the elevator system. Instead, a travel route is predetermined, although it can be provided that this travel route is adapted to actual transport requirements. In particular, it is provided that stopping points from which no calls are made over a certain period of time are omitted from the travel route. In particular, it is also provided that other stopping points from which calls are made more frequently are included in the travel route.Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the stopping points of a travel route assigned to a car of the elevator system are comparatively far apart, for example at least ten floors, in particular more than fifteen floors, wherein the elevator cars advantageously respond to calls between the predetermined stopping points and can make a stop at further stopping points than those predetermined by the travel route in order to enable elevator users to board the car and / or enable elevator users to exit the car. The adaptation of the travel route can in particular be carried out in such a way that a call received from the elevator system is responded to directly by determining from which floor a transport request exists and the elevator car makes an additional stop at this floor, in particular without this stop being added as a fixed stopping point to the travel route.Preferably, it is determined from which building areas many calls are made, and an additional stop is made by the elevator car at a specific floor within this building area. For example, if it is detected that a large number of calls are made from floors 23 to 27, with none of these floors being a predetermined stopping point on the route, then provision is made in particular for floor 25 to be added as an additional stopping point to the route. Advantageously, corresponding indications are displayed on floors 23 to 27 that the elevator car is approaching floor 25. Advantageously, an indication is also provided as to the time at which the elevator car stops at floor 25.If the number of calls made from floors 23 to 27 is permanently high, it is specifically provided that floor 25 is added to the pre-defined sequence of stopping points at least for the duration of the high number of calls made.

[0028] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the travel route assigned to the at least one elevator car is assigned to the at least one elevator car depending on at least one event. In particular, this embodiment provides that the travel route assigned to the at least one elevator car is assigned to the at least one elevator car depending on at least one of the following events: event in the building; day of the week; behavior of the people in the building; weather; time of year; public transport departure / arrival times; time of day. In particular, it is provided that a plurality of travel routes are predetermined. These travel routes are advantageously already linked in advance to the occurrence of certain events.If, for example, an event takes place in a part of a building, at least one car of the elevator system is advantageously assigned a route that includes at least one stop in the corresponding part of the building in which the event takes place.

[0029] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the travel route assigned to the at least one elevator car is displayed by means of at least one display device. Display devices, in particular displays, are advantageously arranged on all floors of the building. These display devices advantageously display all travel routes along which elevator cars of the elevator system are moved. In particular, it is provided that, in addition to the travel routes, the times at which a elevator car will stop at a respective stopping point along the route are indicated.According to an advantageous development, different design features, in particular different colors, are assigned to the different travel routes, wherein the different design features are advantageously picked up by appropriate signaling upon the arrival of a car on a floor level. For example, if a first travel route, along which several cars travel, is assigned the color yellow, and a second travel route, along which several further cars travel, is assigned the color blue, the color yellow lights up on a floor level upon the arrival of a car assigned to the first route, and the color blue lights up upon the arrival of a car assigned to the second route.

[0030] A further advantageous embodiment provides that an elevator user selects the route along which the elevator user wishes to be transported instead of a conventional call input at a floor, in particular instead of a destination call. With reference to the above-mentioned example, it can be provided in particular that the elevator user who wishes to be transported along the first route actuates a yellow input element, whereas a user who wishes to be transported along the second route actuates a blue input element. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the elevator user enters their destination floor in the elevator car. Advantageously, the elevator car provides an indication of a necessary elevator car change if the destination floor is not directly reached by the elevator car in which the elevator user is located.

[0031] The invention provides that at least one first car of the elevator system is assigned a first travel route as a travel route and at least one second car of the elevator system is assigned a second travel route as a travel route, wherein the first travel route differs from the second travel route with regard to the sequence of the stopping points.

[0032] In this case, the first route is temporarily assigned to at least one second elevator car, so that the assignment of the at least one second elevator car changes from the second route to the first route. This is particularly advantageous when all elevator cars of the elevator system are assigned a route and there is an increased demand for transport on one route, in particular an increased demand due to the time of day. Advantageously, a car traveling along a route with less demand is then temporarily assigned another route along which there is an acutely high demand for transport.This means that advantageously a subset of cars of the elevator system is assigned a standard route and an additional on-demand route, whereby the subset of cars is usually moved along the standard route, but in the event of a high traffic volume on the on-demand route, the subset of cars is temporarily assigned the on-demand route instead of the standard route, so that the subset of cars is temporarily moved along the on-demand route.

[0033] A further advantageous embodiment provides that a travel path is continuously determined and updated for at least a third car from the plurality of cars of the elevator system based on call requests received by the elevator system. This travel path is advantageously not a predetermined travel route, but rather a travel path that is determined in a conventional manner as needed. This means that it is particularly provided that the elevator system comprises a first group of cars that travel along a first predetermined travel route, the elevator system comprises a second group of cars that travel along a second predetermined travel route, and the elevator system comprises a third group of cars that are not assigned a predetermined travel route, but whose travel paths result from calls currently received by the elevator system.

[0034] To achieve the object mentioned at the outset, an elevator control is further proposed which is designed to carry out the method steps of a method proposed according to the invention. The elevator control can be designed to be centralized or decentralized. In particular, it is provided that the elevator control comprises memory areas in which the at least one travel route is stored. In particular, it is further provided that the elevator control comprises means for assigning travel routes to elevator cars. Furthermore, the elevator control advantageously comprises at least one interface via which travel requests from elevator users are recorded. Further advantageously, the elevator control comprises at least one evaluation unit, in particular for evaluating travel requests from elevator users.In particular, the elevator control further comprises means for controlling the movement of the elevator cars of the elevator system, in particular along the travel routes assigned to these elevator cars and in particular taking into account further conditions, such as, for example, taking into account predetermined times for the initiation of a scheduled stop of a elevator car.

[0035] To achieve the object mentioned at the outset, an elevator system is further proposed which is designed to carry out a method proposed according to the invention. This elevator system comprises, in particular, a shaft system and a plurality of elevator cars which can be moved in the shaft system. In particular, it is provided that the elevator cars can be moved horizontally and vertically in the shaft system. In particular, it is provided that the elevator system is a ropeless multi-car elevator system, in particular an elevator system comprising a linear motor drive for moving the elevator cars. Furthermore, it is provided in particular that the elevator system comprises an above-mentioned elevator control system which is advantageously designed to carry out the method steps of a method proposed according to the invention.

[0036] Further advantageous details, features, and design details of the invention are explained in more detail in connection with the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. Fig. 1a shows a simplified schematic representation of an embodiment of an elevator system according to the invention; Fig. 1b shows a simplified schematic representation of an embodiment of an inventive operation of an elevator system; Fig. 1c shows a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment of an inventive operation of an elevator system; Fig. 1d shows a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment of an inventive operation of an elevator system; Fig. 2 shows a simplified schematic representation of an embodiment of a display device of an elevator system according to the invention; and Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of an inventive elevator system.

[0037] The Fig. 1a The elevator installation 1 shown as an exemplary embodiment comprises a shaft system with a plurality of vertical elevator shafts 3 and horizontal elevator shafts 4. The elevator installation 1 further comprises a plurality of elevator cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The elevator cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 of the elevator installation 1 can be moved individually in the elevator shafts 3, 4. In particular, it is provided that the elevator cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 are moved in the elevator shafts 3, 4 by means of a linear motor drive system. In particular, it is provided that the cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 can change from one elevator shaft 3, 4 to another elevator shaft 3, 4. For this purpose, so-called shaft change units are provided, which are Fig. 1a are not explicitly shown. Furthermore, the elevator system 1 comprises an elevator control 6, which is Fig. 1a is symbolically represented. In particular, it is provided that the elevator control 6 is designed as a decentralized control system. By means of the elevator control 6, in particular, the movement of the cars in the elevator shafts 3, 4 is controlled. Furthermore, it can be provided in particular that the elevator control 6 comprises at least one safety system (in Fig. 1a not explicitly shown), this safety system being designed in particular to detect possible collision risks between cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and thus to prevent situations in which a collision between cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 could occur.

[0038] The Fig. 1a The elevator installation 1 shown is operated in such a way that at least one car 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 of the elevator installation 1, in particular a first group of cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, is assigned a predetermined travel route. This predetermined travel route is defined by a predefined sequence of stopping points at which the at least one car 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 makes a scheduled stop. The at least one car 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 is moved according to the travel route assigned to this car 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. In particular, the assignment of a travel route to a car 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 is described below with reference to Fig. 1b , Fig. 1c and Fig. 1d explained in more detail.

[0039] For example, in Fig. 1b the case is shown that only the cars 20 of the Fig. 1a A travel route 30 is assigned to the elevator system 1 shown. This travel route 30 is defined by a predetermined sequence of stopping points 40 at which the elevator cars 20 each make a scheduled stop. The stopping points 40 are each located on a floor level at which elevator users can board and / or disembark from the respective elevator car 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the stopping points 40 are also defined such that the elevator cars 20 are moved in a circular operation. The direction of travel of the elevator cars 20 is symbolically represented by arrows.

[0040] In this embodiment it is also provided that the further Fig. 1a The elevator cars 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 shown are moved in a conventional manner, i.e., in this exemplary embodiment, no travel routes are assigned to these cars 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. Instead, these cars 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 respond to calls received from the elevator installation 1 or the elevator control system 6, which are issued in particular by elevator users via corresponding input terminals. Thus, for the cars 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 - unlike for the cars 20 - a travel route is continuously determined and updated based on call requests received from the elevator installation.

[0041] This determination that in the Fig.1b The fact that, in the exemplary embodiment shown, only the elevator cars 20 are assigned a travel route 30 is particularly advantageous when less heavy traffic is expected in the other parts of the building, so that moving the elevator cars along a fixed route is less advantageous in these other parts of the building. In the specific exemplary embodiment, it is also advantageous that all floors reached by the elevator cars 20 can also be reached by the elevator cars 21 via the parallel elevator shafts, wherein in the present exemplary embodiment, the movement of the elevator cars 21 is controlled by issuing corresponding calls, in particular issuing destination calls.

[0042] The stops 40 of route 30 are in the Fig. 1b In the embodiment shown, the stops 40 are also advantageously set in such a way that a simple change to other shafts in which the other elevator cars 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 are moved can be carried out from these stopping points 40, in particular so that an elevator user can reach the final destination floor with one of these elevator cars 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. In particular, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1b In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is provided that the elevator cars 20 make a stop exclusively at the predetermined stopping points 40 and do not make any additional stops between these predetermined stopping points 40. However, it is particularly possible to provide a design variant according to which the elevator users can indicate a stop request, advantageously within a respective elevator car 20. Advantageously, the elevator car 20 will then travel directly to a destination floor desired by an elevator user and make an intermediate stop between the predetermined stopping points 40. This intermediate stop preferably takes place depending on the volume of transport to be transported and / or the distance to the preceding elevator car and / or the distance to the following elevator car.For example, if the transport volume at the specified stopping points 40 exceeds a specified limit, it can be provided that no intermediate stops are permitted. The same applies if a specified time interval for traveling the route 30 from the specified initial stopping point to the specified final stopping point could not be maintained if an intermediate stop or a further intermediate stop were made. Even if the following car is expected to approach too closely in the event of an intermediate stop, or if a predetermined distance to the preceding car is expected to be exceeded, it can be provided that an intermediate stop is not permitted. An elevator user is advantageously informed accordingly within the elevator car.

[0043] In the case of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b However, in the illustrated embodiment, this insertion of intermediate stops is not provided. In this embodiment, all floors that can be reached by the elevator cars 20 can also be served by the elevator cars 21. An elevator user therefore has the choice of whether to travel in the elevator cars 21 or the elevator cars 20. This decision can, however, also be determined by the elevator control system 6, particularly depending on the traffic volume.

[0044] In particular, in the case of the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b In the exemplary embodiment explained, the travel route 30 assigned to the cars 20 includes an initial stop point, for example the one shown in Fig. 1b stopping point 40 shown bottom left, from which the travel route 30 of the cars 20 begins. The travel route 30 also includes an end stopping point at which the travel route 30 of the cars 20 ends. The starting stopping point and the end stopping point can be the same in this exemplary embodiment, particularly since the cars 20 are moved in a circular manner. A defined time interval is specified, preferably by the elevator control 6, for the movement of the cars 20 from the starting stopping point to the end stopping point. The cars 20 must be moved from the starting stopping point to the end stopping point within this specified time interval. For example, a time interval of eight minutes could be specified, which means that a car 20 is moved from the starting stopping point to the end stopping point of the travel route 30 within these specified eight minutes.In particular, it is provided that each of the cars 20 is given the same time interval, for example a time interval of eight minutes each.

[0045] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that concrete times are specified at which a respective car 20 makes a scheduled stop at a respective stopping point 40. These concrete times are selected differently for each of the cars 20. For example, it can be provided that a first car 20 at the Fig. 1b The elevator starts at the stop point 40 shown bottom left at a time x, then travels in the direction of the arrow to the next stop point 40 and stops there at a time x+a. The next stop point 40 is then advantageously set at a predetermined time x+a+b. The next stop point 40 is then set at a predetermined time x+a+b+c, etc., until after a time x+y the elevator car returns to the stop point shown in Fig. 1b makes a stop at the stopping point 40 shown bottom left. The next stop is then made at the next stopping point 40 at the specified time x+y+a. In this way, for each car 20 and for each of the stopping points 40 on the route 30, a number of times is specified at which a respective car 20 repeatedly makes a scheduled stop at the respective stopping point 40. The times can be individually specified for each day of the week. Advantageously, the time offset with which cars 20 approach a stopping point 40 on the route 30 is fixed. Advantageously, this results in a timetable of when a car 20 will stop at one of the stopping points 40 or when it will reach a stopping point 40.

[0046] Unlike when using the elevator cars 21, in this embodiment a lift user can advantageously recognize when using a lift car 20, for example, when Fig. 1b bottom right shown stop 40 into a car 20, i.e. how long he has to wait until a car 20 arrives at this stop 40. In addition, the elevator user can also see when he can, for example, reach the stop shown in Fig. 1b will reach breakpoint 40 shown top right.

[0047] Advantageously, this information, in particular when a car 20 stops at which stopping point, is displayed on a display device 8, which is Fig. 1a is symbolically represented, displayed inside and / or outside a car 20. Advantageously, such a display device 8 is arranged at least on those floors at which a stopping point 40 of the travel route 30 is defined.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 1a and Fig. 1c A further embodiment for operating a Fig. 1a illustrated elevator system 1 is explained in more detail. In this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that all of the elevator cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 are each assigned a travel route 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. In this case, the travel route 30 is assigned to a first number of elevator cars 20, the travel route 31 is assigned to a second number of elevator cars 21, the travel route 32 is assigned to a third number of elevator cars 22, the travel route 33 is assigned to a fourth number of elevator cars 23, the travel route 34 is assigned to a fifth number of elevator cars 24, the travel route 35 is assigned to a sixth number of elevator cars 25, and the travel route 36 is assigned to a seventh number of elevator cars 27. The travel routes 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 are each defined by a sequence of stopping points at which the respective cars 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 make a scheduled stop.For the sake of clarity, in . Fig. 1c For example, only the specified stopping points 42 of the route 32 are shown.

[0049] In this exemplary embodiment, fixed times are specified for each elevator car 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 at which it makes a scheduled stop at a stopping point. Advantageously, it is thus always clearly defined when which elevator car 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 will make a stop at which stopping point on its respective travel route 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. The stopping points can have different distances from one another depending on the respective travel route 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. For example, it can be provided that a stopping point is located on each floor of the travel route 36. This is particularly useful if these floors are heavily frequented, for example if there are shops on these floors and a large number of elevator users enter and / or exit a car on each floor level.In addition, it can be provided in particular that, for example, further routes are provided along the route corresponding to route 34 (in . Fig. 1c not shown), which is assigned, for example, to a subset of the elevator cars 24. The travel route 34 and the further travel route each serve the same route, but the travel routes have different stopping points. This means that the travel routes are defined by different stopping points and can also be defined by different stopping times at the stopping points. For example, it can be provided that along the route corresponding to the travel route 34, some of the elevator cars 24 have the odd-numbered floors as stopping points, and the other elevator cars 24 are assigned the even-numbered floors as stopping points.

[0050] Advantageously, a lift user is provided with the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1c The exemplary embodiment explained also provides a new way of operating the elevator system 1. For this purpose, at least one display device 8 is arranged on the respective floors. This is advantageously designed as a touchscreen. An example of such a display device is shown in Fig. 2 shown. The elevator installation 1 with the corresponding existing travel routes 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 is shown schematically on the display device 8. In addition, the position 50 of an elevator user is shown. If it is immediately apparent to the elevator user that his desired destination position 51 is served by elevator cars 22 to which the travel route 32 is assigned, the elevator user can select this, for example, by touching the travel route 32. As a result, a corresponding travel request from an elevator user is advantageously registered by the elevator control 6. This advantageously leads to a elevator car 22 stopping at the start position 50, in particular even if the start position 50 is not a defined stopping point on the travel route 32.Advantageously, the elevator user is shown in a departure display 61 in an additional display field 60 of the display devices 8 when a car 22 will depart from the starting position 50. Furthermore, the arrival display field 62 advantageously shows when the car 22 will reach the destination position 51.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided in particular that an elevator user can also directly specify their destination position 52. Advantageously, the elevator user specifies the destination position 52 using the touchscreen on the schematically illustrated elevator system 1'. The elevator control 6 then calculates how the elevator user can best reach the destination position 52 starting from the start position 50. In the display field 60, the elevator user is advantageously shown that they must first use the travel route 32, wherein a corresponding arrival time is preferably displayed. In a field 63, the necessary elevator car change from a car 23 to a car 22 to which the travel route 32 is assigned is shown, in particular together with a preferred change point at which the change from the car 23 to the car 22 takes place. This change point could, for example, be the Fig. 2 This can be the stopping point 42 shown below the starting position 50. This change point is advantageously also shown in the display field 60. Preferably, the arrival time at the destination position 52 is also displayed. In particular, it can also be displayed when a car 23, to which the travel route 33 is assigned, will arrive at the stopping point 42 designated as the change point, and when a car 22 will arrive at this stopping point 42 for the onward journey to the destination position 52.

[0052] With reference to Fig. 1a and Fig. 1d Another advantageous aspect for the operation of an elevator system 1, as shown in Fig. 1a presented and explained. In Fig. 1d The travel route 32 assigned to the elevator cars 22 is shown as an example. In this embodiment, it is now provided that travel requests from elevator users are recorded and the recorded travel requests are evaluated, preferably using the elevator control 6. The recording of travel requests can be carried out, for example, by cameras installed on the floors. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the calls made by elevator users on the floors are recorded. If the evaluation shows that the number of travel requests has changed, it is particularly provided that the travel route 32 assigned to the elevator cars 22 is adapted to these changed travel requests. In the Fig. 1d In the exemplary embodiment shown, it can be provided, for example, that no person traffic is recorded for the stopping points 42' or for other stops located between the stopping points 42', for example because no persons are detected in this building area by means of corresponding cameras installed on the floors, or because this building area is closed to person traffic. The reason for such a closure can, for example, be the end of the opening hours of shops located in this building area. The elevator system 1 or the elevator control 6 of the elevator system 1 can advantageously react to this, for example by removing the stopping points 42' from the travel route 32 and replacing the stopping points 42' with new stopping points 42".In particular, it is provided that, due to the shortening of the travel route 32 resulting from the replacement of the stopping points 42', the times at which a car 22 makes a stop at one of the stopping points 42 are also adjusted accordingly. If the number of persons to be transported along the travel route 32 has also been reduced with regard to the newly adjusted travel route 32, it can also be provided in particular that the number of cars 22 to which the travel route 32 is assigned is reduced. Cars 22 to which the travel route 32 is no longer assigned can be transferred to a . Fig. 1d not explicitly shown depot area. Alternatively, it can be provided that the elevator car, to which no route is assigned, is temporarily parked in an unused or hardly used elevator shaft of the elevator system 1. If the number of persons wishing to be transported along route 32 increases again, it is provided that the parked elevator car is again assigned route 32. However, if there is an increased need for transport capacity due to a locally changed passenger volume along another route, for example along route 36, it can also be provided in particular that the parked elevator car or a elevator car 22 is now assigned route 36. In particular, it can also be provided that this elevator car is assigned a Fig. 1c A route not shown is assigned as an additional route. Routes can advantageously be adapted to existing transport volumes, taking existing routes into account, and new stopping points can be defined.

[0053] In Fig. 3 A further exemplary embodiment of an elevator installation 1 is shown. This elevator installation 1 comprises two vertical elevator shafts 3 and two horizontal elevator shafts 4, so that the elevator cars 20, 21, 22 of the elevator installation 1 can be moved counterclockwise, in particular in a circular operation. The elevator installation 1 further comprises a depot area 70 in which elevator cars 22 are parked, to which no travel route is assigned. In this exemplary embodiment, each of the elevator cars 20 is assigned a first travel route. Each of the elevator cars 21 is assigned a second travel route. The travel route of the elevator cars 20 is defined by the sequence of stopping points 40. The second travel route, which is assigned to the elevator cars 21, is defined by the sequence of stopping points 41.The two top floors and the two bottom floors of the elevator system 1 are stopping points 40, 41 of both the first travel route and the second travel route. In this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that, for example, depending on the time of day, there is a greater demand for transport from the lower floors to the higher floors. For this reason, several stopping points 41 in the right-hand vertical elevator shaft 3 are assigned to the elevator cars 21. The elevator cars 20, on the other hand, serve more evenly distributed stopping points 40. In particular, it is provided that the stopping points 40, 41 can be defined differently depending on the time of day. In particular, it can be provided that the elevator cars 22 located in the depot 70 can also be assigned the first travel route with the stopping points 40 or the second travel route with the stopping points 41, depending on the transport demand.In addition, it may be provided that, if the transport requirement is lower, cars 20 or cars 21 can be moved into the depot area 70.

[0054] The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and explained in connection with them serve to explain the invention and are not limiting thereof. Bezugszeichenliste

[0055] 1Elevator system 1'Representation of the elevator system (1) on the display device (8) 3Vertical elevator shaft 4Horizontal elevator shaft 6Elevator control 8Display device 20Car 21Car 22Car 23Car 24Car 25Car 26Car 30Route 31Route 32Route 33Route 34Route 35Route 36Route 40Stop 42Stop 42'Stop (old) 42"Stop (new) 50Start position 51Destination position 52Destination position 60Display field 61Departure indicator 62Arrival indicator 63Car change indicator 70Depot

Claims

1. Method for operating an elevator system (1) having a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) which can move individually between a plurality of floors, wherein a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) can be moved simultaneously in an elevator shaft (3, 4) of the elevator system (1), wherein at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) from the plurality of the elevator cars of the elevator system (1) is assigned a predetermined travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36), wherein the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) is defined by a sequence of stopping points (40, 42) that is fixed in advance for this at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), at which points the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is intended to make a planned stop, and the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is moved in accordance with the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) assigned to this at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26); wherein at least one first elevator car (20) and at least one second elevator car (22) are provided as the at least one elevator car of the elevator system (1), wherein a first travel route (30) is assigned to the at least one first elevator car (20) as a travel route and a second travel route (32) is assigned to the at least one second elevator car (22) as a travel route, wherein the first travel route (30) is different than the second travel route (32) in terms of the sequence of the stopping points (40, 42), characterized in that the elevator system has vertical and horizontal elevator shafts, wherein the elevator system has shaft change units at which the elevator cars change from a first elevator shaft into a second elevator shaft, and in that the first travel route (30) is temporarily assigned to the at least one second elevator car (22) such that, with respect to the at least one second elevator car (22), a change of the assignment from the second travel route (32) to the first travel route (30) occurs.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) assigned to the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) comprises a start stopping point, from which the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) of the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) begins, and an end stopping point, at which the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) of the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) ends, wherein a defined time interval is predetermined for the movement of the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) from the start stopping point to the end stopping point, and the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is moved in such a way that this at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is moved from the start stopping point to the end stopping point within the predetermined time interval.

3. Method according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at least for a first stopping point from the sequence of stopping points (40, 42), a number of points in time at which the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) makes a planned stop recurrently at this first stopping point are predetermined.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two elevator cars (20) of the elevator system (1) are assigned the predetermined travel route (30), wherein the at least two elevator cars (20) make a planned stop at respectively different points in time at the stopping points (40) of the travel route (30).

5. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that a minimum time interval that lies between the points in time at which one elevator car of the at least two elevator cars (20) makes a planned stop at a stopping point from the sequence of the stopping points (40) and an elevator car, following this elevator car, of the at least two elevator cars (20) makes a planned stop at this same stopping point is predetermined.

6. Method according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, characterized in that, for each of the at least two elevator cars (20), a respective point in time for each stopping point (40) of the sequence of stopping points at which the at least two elevator cars (20) each make a planned stop at the respective stopping point is predetermined.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that travel requests of elevator users are detected, the detected travel requests are evaluated, and the number of the elevator cars (20) to which the travel route (30) is assigned is determined in dependence on the result of the evaluation of the travel requests.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that travel requests of elevator users are detected, the detected travel requests are evaluated, and the travel route (30) assigned to the at least one elevator car (20) is adapted in dependence on the result of the evaluation.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) is assigned to the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) in dependence on at least one event, in particular is assigned to the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) in dependence on at least one of the events stated below: an event held in the building; day of the week; behaviour of the persons in the building; weather; time of the year; local public transport departure / arrival times; time of the day.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) assigned to the at least one elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is displayed by means of at least one display device (8).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for at least one third elevator car (21) from the plurality of the elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) of the elevator system (1), a travel path is continuously determined and updated on the basis of call requests received by the elevator system (1).

12. Elevator controller (6) which is designed to carry out the method steps of a method according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Elevator system (1) comprising a shaft system, a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) which can move in the shaft system and an elevator controller (6) according to Claim 12.

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