Method for controlling at least one transfer unit of a cableless elevator system, corresponding elevator system, computer program, and use

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling at least one transfer unit of a cableless elevator system, wherein the transfer unit itself and optionally also at least one motor, in particular motor segments of a / the motor, of at least one car of the elevator system can be or are oriented by the transfer unit by means of at least one actuation movement in such a way that the transfer unit and optionally also the car or at least the motor are oriented from a first travel direction defined by a first travel path into / for a second travel direction defined by a second travel path, wherein the (angular) velocity of the at least one actuation movement of the transfer unit is controlled, for situation-specific minimization of said velocity, in an open loop and / or a closed loop according to at least one parameter, in particular individually for each car and / or individually for each orienting operation and transfer unit. The present invention also relates to a corresponding cableless elevator system. A particularly sustainable mode of operation is also made possible thereby.

Description

[0001] Method for controlling at least one converter of a ropeless elevator system and corresponding elevator system and computer program and use

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for controlling at least one converter of a ropeless elevator system, wherein a new direction of travel is predefined by means of the converter (the converter is positioned / aligned alone, i.e. without a carriage being located at the converter) or at least one motor of at least one carriage of the elevator system is aligned by at least one adjusting movement such that the carriage or at least the motor is aligned from a first direction of travel defined by a first travel path into / for a second direction of travel defined by a second travel path. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding elevator system, in particular with a plurality of parallel or intersecting travel paths. Last but not least, the present invention also relates to the use of time and speed parameters (among others) for specifying an operating mode of the at least one converter.In particular, the invention relates to methods and devices according to features of the respective independent claim.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In modern elevator systems, the cars (or cabins) can be moved both vertically and horizontally, so that elevator systems are being developed in which numerous cars can be moved independently of one another in the desired direction (particularly ropeless elevator systems), either on the same path (travel route) or on different paths (e.g. vertically and horizontally). These elevator systems are usually referred to as ropeless elevator systems (a departure from the classic concept of elevator cars that can be moved on a rope in just a single predefined shaft). As they grow, these ropeless elevator systems naturally become more complex, and the logistical tasks, for example with regard to short travel times and minimized mutual interference between cars on the same path or on intersecting / crossing paths, place noticeably greater demands on the control / regulation of the overall system.Such control and regulation aspects are relevant, for example, in the area of ​​so-called converters or in relation to the associated components, where the individual carriages are moved or realigned from a vertical track to a horizontal track (or vice versa, i.e., where the carriages generally change their direction of travel or where the selection of a track is associated with a change in spatial orientation / direction of travel). Depending on the situation, converters are moved / aligned either alone or together with at least one carriage located there.

[0006] Ropeless elevator systems usually have at least one such transfer unit or at least one such transfer unit, with which the motor segments of a car or carriage can be rotated by 90°, for example, in order to change the orientation of the car movement or to coordinate it with a new travel path. It has been shown that the rotation time (or revolution time) of the transfer unit has a noticeable influence on the transport performance of the elevator system; the actual time required for this rotation influences the shunting or exchange process of the individual carriages and thus also the cycle time in multi-car operating mode and ultimately also the actually achievable transport performance (handling capacity) of the entire elevator system. Short times (i.e. rapid rotation of the transfer units) reduce the cycle time of the respective carriage and promote high transport performance. Therefore, short revolution times for the transfer units are usually preferred.Unfortunately, this also increases wear, especially on the converter's components, which unfortunately also increases maintenance costs (or product costs); even energy costs can rise significantly.

[0007] According to the state of the art, the respective converter is operated in a largely standardized manner with the shortest possible rotation time. Based on this, there is interest in a more differentiated operating mode that can also accommodate individual situations.

[0008] An example is publication WO 2019 / 162 165 A1, which describes measures for guide devices of a ropeless elevator system in connection with collision prevention efforts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The objective is to provide a method and device that enables ropeless elevator systems to be operated in a particularly sustainable and energy-optimized manner, particularly in connection with a direction / track change of carriages at so-called transfer units. The objective is also to control the transfer units of an elevator system in such a way that the transfer units can be operated in a particularly sustainable and prudent manner without impairing the overall operational process.

[0010] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and by a device according to the independent device claim. Advantageous developments of the invention are explained in the respective subclaims. The features of the exemplary embodiments described below can be combined with one another unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0011] The problem is solved in particular by a method comprising the combination of features of the independent method claim. In this respect, a method is provided for controlling at least one converter of a ropeless elevator system, wherein, by means of the converter, the converter itself and optionally also at least one motor, in particular motor segments of a / the motor, of at least one carriage of the elevator system can be aligned or is / are aligned in such a way by at least one adjusting movement that the converter and optionally also the carriage or at least the motor (in particular since the alignment of the carriage can or should remain unchanged) is aligned from a first direction of travel (or lane) defined by a first travel path into / for a second direction of travel (or lane) defined by a second travel path (in particular from horizontal to vertical direction of travel or vice versa);

[0012] According to the invention, it is proposed that the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter be controlled / regulated in order to minimize this speed in a situation-specific manner as a function of at least one parameter, in particular individually for each carriage and / or individually for each alignment process (change of direction / track) and converter. This also enables optimized operation of the respective converter. The alignment of the converter can also be referred to as repositioning and can optionally also include a translational movement. The alignment of the converter can optionally affect only the converter itself or also a carriage positioned on the converter or its motor (segments).

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a "converter" is generally understood to mean a converting unit / device, largely independent of a specific device design, by means of which the orientation of a track and / or a carriage can be changed for the purpose of changing the direction of the track, in particular by also realigning the motor segments of the carriage accordingly. Such a converter comprises, for example, a rail or guide element that can be adjusted in the manner of a switch between at least a first and a second track, in particular by rotation in a plane.

[0014] "Control / regulation" is understood to mean at least a control of the positioning movement, and optionally, a closed-loop control is also implemented, e.g., regarding the current position or orientation of the respective transfer unit. The control can also be implemented in conjunction with a control / regulation parameter regarding the manner in which the individual carriages are moved.

[0015] In other words, the invention is based on the concept of implementing a further control / regulation optimization, at least with regard to the control of converters, based on the goal of the shortest possible (process) times. This is done in such a way that not only is a control / regulation priority given to minimizing the time required for the converter's actuating movement, but the speed of the actuating movement of the respective converter is set as slow / small as possible, particularly to minimize wear and tear and other operating costs. It has been shown that short cycle times of the converter are not always (or even only very rarely) required during the operation of an elevator system.For example, the following situations can arise in which the more differentiated control-Zregulation approach described here for minimizing the adjustment movement speed provides clear advantages: If a following carriage delays or is delayed when approaching the converter (in particular the floor of the converter) (be it to pass this floor or to stop there), i.e. if it only reaches the level of the converter later than intended for the optimized operating sequence, the control / regulation according to the invention can provide that the converter rotates / adjusts (orinto the required position to accommodate the approaching carriage), without this more time-consuming relocation having a negative impact on the current transport performance of the entire elevator system. In this respect, a time delay that has already occurred for other reasons can be exploited in an inventive way to make the system's operation more cost- / energy-efficient, smoother, or, for example, more sustainable and requires less maintenance. This also contributes to sustainability in the context of comparatively energy-intensive transport systems.

[0016] Another situation in which the inventive approach can be implemented very advantageously can be described as follows: A wagon located in a / the transfer position is used or loaded for another purpose, so that the transfer process can be changed over without time pressure, but in an optimized manner according to the inventive concept described here.

[0017] In particular, since the control / regulation system according to the invention knows the corresponding traffic information data and the (transport) performance required / desired in the respective individual case as parameters, or can evaluate or at least retrieve them, the corresponding control / regulation device is configured to combine / correlate a / the actuating movement Z-rotation command (control signal) with corresponding information / specification regarding the desired actuating movement speed such that the converter is repositioned at the slowest possible speed without resulting in further delays in the operating sequence; in this respect, the actuating movement speed is minimized according to the invention depending on the situation by means of a corresponding control specification.

[0018] A comparable measure can be implemented by means of the control / regulation device for a situation when the respective cabin (or carriage) stops / stands at the stop position of the transfer unit, e.g. for the purpose of passenger exchange (boarding / alighting, and / or loading cargo); for example, the specification of the rotation speed of the transfer unit can be dependent on the passenger volume or the entry / exit.

[0019] / Passenger alighting speed (transfer times) must be implemented.

[0020] In this respect, the converter can rotate comparatively slowly in many situations (slower than previously provided by default), especially when the next approaching car requires more time to arrive than the converter's standard setting time. In this respect, the adapted setting movement can be slowed down to the extent that an available time buffer is determined.

[0021] The control device issues, for example, signals / commands to rotate the corresponding converter (e.g. also including locking / unlocking) in the following two situations or depending on corresponding conditions:

[0022] 1. A car is in the transfer position and wants to change direction; the transfer turns and thus also the car;

[0023] 2. A car is to pass a transfer point or stop in that position, but the corresponding transfer point is currently incorrectly aligned with the approaching car; the transfer point must therefore turn without the car, i.e., before the car has approached the transfer point.

[0024] In this respect, it has been shown that the shortest possible rotation time of the transfer device is not necessary in every situation in order to ensure or avoid compromising the required transport performance or handling capacity. In this respect, the control / regulation device can determine the need for short rotation times or the minimum required rotation speed and incorporate this time / speed specification into a control signal to specify the minimum speed of the actuating movement depending on the situation.

[0025] The control / regulation includes, for example, a (data) input, a data retrieval, or a corresponding algorithm for determining the appropriate rotation time in each individual case, for example, depending on a generally required transport capacity: At times of day or on calendar days with a lower required transport capacity, the control / regulation can provide for the automatic change of the operating mode to slower rotation speeds of the converter. The required / changed new minimum rotation time can be transmitted as part of a control / regulation command or is communicated to a control / regulation device controlling the respective converter. A currently required transport capacity can be specified as input, and historical data or empirical values ​​can be used to estimate the required transport capacity for a specific time of day.

[0026] Furthermore, the control system can specify different operating modes for the shuttles with regard to predefined standard situations, for example when a trolley is in the shuttle position and passengers are being loaded or unloaded (this includes the opening and closing of the doors and the time for passenger boarding). This process can take longer than a simultaneous rotation of the shuttle; in these situations, the type of rotation can also be specified largely independently of a (day-time) time parameter, for example, being at least a few percent slower by default. Or, for example, if the cycle time (time between two trolleys, e.g. at a shuttle position) is longer in a distribution loop or it takes longer than usual (or is foreseeable that it will take) for a subsequent trolley to arrive at the shuttle, the shuttle can be rotated at a slower speed.This information can also be incorporated into the rotation command. In this respect, the invention allows a rotational speed pattern to be specified depending on at least two variables.

[0027] Until now, according to the prior art, it has been common practice to simply reduce the required peak power, for example in connection with a starting situation, in particular by specifying the starting times for several cars in such a way that not all cars have to be set in motion at the same time. However, the actually requested peak power is still comparatively difficult to control, especially since delay times are specified without taking power peaks into account. The present invention also allows the consideration of instantaneous relative speeds and occupancy situations and enables, among other things, the realization of the following advantages: increasing the service life of the converter components, reducing the peak electrical power required by the converter for one rotation, and reducing maintenance or product costs.

[0028] Whenever reference is made to "rotation" of the converter according to the present disclosure, this is to be understood as any adjustment movement by means of which the alignment for the desired direction of travel or the desired travel path can be achieved, even if the adjustment movement does not correspond to a pure rotational movement. The same applies to the speed of the rotation or of a / the corresponding adjustment movement.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the control / regulation of the (rotational speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter to minimize this speed takes place as a function of at least one of the following currently determined / determinable parameters and individually for each carriage and / or individually for each alignment process (direction / track change) and converter: current position of the corresponding carriage, in particular relative to the relevant converter, current travel speed of the corresponding carriage, currently required transport performance of the entire elevator system or at the relevant converter, current utilization of the entire elevator system, current occupancy of a carriage stopping at the relevant converter (or direction / track change point), current type and manner of loading / unloading of a carriage stopping at the relevant converter (or direction / track change point), time of day or expected utilization value.This also enables application-specific optimization and individualization of the control / regulation.

[0030] According to one embodiment, a control / regulation device of the elevator system generates a control / regulation signal based on the at least one parameter, in particular individually for each carriage and individually for each alignment process and converter, and sends this signal to the at least one converter for the corresponding direction / track change at the junction of the first and second travel paths or at a point for changing between parallel travel paths. This also facilitates very specific, situation-dependent control; the individual converters can also be addressed individually.

[0031] According to one embodiment, a control / regulation signal is generated individually for each converter and exchange / direction change process, which specifies a minimum speed of the actuating movement depending on the current position and speed of a carriage approaching the converter. This also makes it possible to keep the currently specified minimum speed of the actuating movement as low as possible.

[0032] According to one embodiment, controlling the at least one converter comprises enabling / disabling the at least one converter. This facilitates, not least, implementation of the control concept described here in conjunction with an otherwise possibly already standardized operating procedure.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the control of the at least one converter to minimize the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter is carried out depending on a specification or a corresponding parameter from the following group: new target orientation of the corresponding carriage in a current arrangement / position on the corresponding converter, new target orientation of the corresponding free (not occupied by a carriage) converter, in particular for the purpose of accommodating an approaching carriage. This also facilitates optimization of the control specifications depending on multiple carriages or their current states.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter is minimized when a carriage is currently in a position at the corresponding converter (the converter is occupied by a carriage), in particular when the carriage is in a loading / unloading state (passengers and / or cargo), for example, in a state with the door open. This control / regulation prioritization can enable an even more specific implementation of the inventive concept, in particular in terms of a further (deeper) control level.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter is minimized if the estimated time of arrival of a car at the corresponding converter lies further in the future than the converter relocation duration required for the desired actuating movement. This also provides a good compromise between general system readiness and the currently required availability.

[0036] According to one embodiment, at least two converters are controlled / regulated in an overlapping manner to align the converters or at least one carriage, particularly in connection with a carriage lane change between two tracks running at least approximately parallel to each other. This also provides the advantages described here in connection with additional converters. Controlling them in pairs can also reduce complexity.

[0037] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute a method previously described above on the computer, in particular a computer program product configured to determine and specify a minimized minimum speed of an actuating movement of at least one converter of a ropeless elevator system.

[0038] For example, a control specification is determined as a function of the parameters described here relating to at least two cars (in particular also as a function of their relative position and / or speed) and transmitted to at least one converter.

[0039] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by using a control / regulation device of a ropeless elevator system for controlling at least one converter of the elevator system, wherein the converter or, by means of the converter, at least one motor of at least one carriage of the elevator system is / are aligned by at least one actuating movement such that the converter and optionally also the carriage is / are aligned from a first direction of travel defined by a first travel path into / for a second direction of travel defined by a second travel path, wherein a control / regulation of the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter takes place for the situation-specific minimization of this speed depending on at least one parameter from the following group,In particular, individually for each carriage and / or individually for each alignment process (direction / track change) and transfer device: current position of the corresponding carriage and / or the transfer device, current travel speed of the corresponding carriage, currently required transport capacity, current capacity utilization of the entire elevator system, current occupancy and / or current method of loading / unloading of a carriage stopped at the corresponding transfer device, time of day, and / or expected capacity utilization. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized.

[0040] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a device according to the corresponding independent device claim, namely by a ropeless elevator system having at least one converter, by means of which the converter itself and optionally also at least one motor, in particular motor segments of a / the motor, of at least one carriage of the elevator system can be aligned by at least one adjusting movement in such a way that the converter and optionally also the carriage or at least the motor are aligned from a first direction of travel defined by a first travel path into / for a second direction of travel defined by a second travel path,The elevator system comprises a control / regulation device configured to specify the (rotational) speed of a respective actuating movement of the converter for situation-specific minimization of this speed depending on at least one parameter relating to the current situation of the converter or of the at least one carriage, in particular with a control / regulation specification individually for each carriage and / or individually for each alignment process (direction / track change) and converter. This results in the aforementioned advantages, in particular with regard to a particularly sustainable use of energy resources and a particularly gentle, stress-minimized use of the involved device components.

[0041] The ropeless elevator system can comprise a plurality of carriages, motors (or motor segments), transfer units, and intersecting travel paths. The functional scope of the control system described here can be scalable in this regard, in particular by identifying each transfer unit via a unique identifier, e.g., a communication address.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the control / regulation device controls at least two converters located at at least approximately the same height position (or height level) on parallel and interconnected travel paths. This facilitates an even more efficient implementation of the conversion concept described here.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the control / regulation device controls at least one converter located at the junction of intersecting travel paths. This enables the advantages described here also with regard to horizontally extending travel paths.

[0044] Summary: The present invention relates to a method for controlling at least one converter of a ropeless elevator system, wherein by means of the converter the converter itself and optionally also at least one motor, in particular motor segments of a / the motor, of at least one carriage of the elevator system can be aligned or is / are aligned in such a way by at least one adjusting movement that the converter and optionally also the carriage or at least the motor are aligned from a first direction of travel defined by a first travel path into / for a second direction of travel defined by a second travel path, wherein a control / regulation of the (rotational) speed of the at least one adjusting movement of the converter takes place for situation-specific minimization of this speed as a function of at least one parameter, in particular individually for each carriage and / or individually for each alignment process and converter.The present invention also relates to a corresponding ropeless elevator system. This also enables particularly sustainable operation.

[0045] SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0046] The invention is described in more detail in the following drawing figures. Reference numbers not explicitly described in a particular drawing figure refer to the other drawing figures. They each show, in schematic representation:

[0047] Figure 1 shows, in a side view in five successive phases (Figures 1 to 5 in Figure 1), a transfer point on two parallel travel paths of a ropeless elevator system, at which two transfers can be controlled according to embodiments;

[0048] Figure 2 shows a perspective side view of a transfer point on two parallel travel paths of a ropeless elevator system, at which two transfer points can be controlled according to embodiments;

[0049] Figure 3 shows a side view of two travel paths of a ropeless elevator system extending parallel over several floors or height levels according to embodiments, here with three carriages as an example, with at least two transfer units being provided for each height level;

[0050] Figure 4 shows individual steps of a control method according to embodiments;

[0051] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0052] The invention will first be explained with general reference to all reference numerals and figures. Special features or individual aspects of the present invention will be discussed in connection with the respective figure.

[0053] A control / regulation device 20 is provided for a ropeless elevator installation 10 having at least a first travel path 1 and a second travel path 2. The control / regulation device 20 comprises a computing unit 21 and a communication module 23 and is coupled to at least one sensor unit 30. The type of elevator installation 10 described here provides that several carriages 3 can be provided for the (current) use of a respective travel path. Each carriage 3 has a motor or motor segments 5 and is configured to move along the travel path (without the need for a rope).

[0054] For a track / direction change, converters 11 are provided. These allow a wagon to be relocated or the respective track to be realigned by means of a rotating (track) section 13, acting as a switch. The respective converter 11 can also interact with the motor segments of the corresponding wagon.

[0055] According to the invention, the movement / displacement of the converter (with or without carriage) is controlled / regulated in such a way that a situation-specific minimization of the speed of an adjustment movement of the converter occurs.

[0056] By means of the sensor unit 30, for example, at least one of the following parameters is detected or determined and taken into account for the control / regulation: current position of the corresponding carriage 3, in particular relative to the corresponding transfer device 11, current travel speed of the corresponding carriage, currently required transport performance of the entire elevator system 10 or at the corresponding transfer device 11, current utilization of the entire elevator system 10, current occupancy of a carriage 3 stopping at the corresponding transfer device, current type and manner of loading / unloading of a carriage stopping at the corresponding transfer device, time of day or expected utilization value.

[0057] In this respect, the present invention can also be realized in connection with or based on the following three process steps or procedural measures, which are roughly divided here:

[0058] Step S1: Detecting / determining the at least one parameter;

[0059] Step S2: Controlling / regulating at least one converter 11 for the purpose of situation-specific actuating movement speed minimization; Step S3: Controlling / regulating at least one further converter;

[0060] Optionally, step S1 can be omitted, e.g., if the control / regulation is to be performed solely as a function of the time of day or an expected load value. Step S3 can also be performed dependently on step S2, or simultaneously. The method of control / regulation according to step S2 can differ from the method of control / regulation according to step S3, so that individual control specifications can be specified (even simultaneously) for a large number of converters.

[0061] In Fig. 1, the conventional operation of converters 11 is explained in five successive phases (the respective phase is indicated in Fig. 1 above the respective illustration by a number without a reference arrow), with reference to a track change between two parallel tracks 1, 2: First, a carriage 3 approaches a converter 11 arranged on its track (illustration orPhase 1); then, the converter 11 is controlled to convert the carriage, whereby the adjacent converter is also controlled simultaneously (Figure 2); then, the carriage can change from the first track 1 to the second track 2 (Figure 3); then, both converters are controlled for an adjusting movement, by which the converters (and, by one of the converters, also the motor segments of the carriage) are moved back into the actual track alignment of the corresponding track (Figure 4); then, the carriage 3 can leave the converter arrangement in the desired direction (Figure 5). The present invention can also be implemented with regard to this conventional mode of operation, be it in Phase 2 or Phase 4.

[0062] Figure 2 shows further details of an exemplary configuration of the travel paths and the converter in a perspective view. Communication between sensor unit 30 and control / regulation device 20 can take place via module 23 (particularly wirelessly).

[0063] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the extent to which a current position or speed of a carriage (e.g. a carriage currently located midway between two height levels ZI 1) can be used as a parameter to specify the actuating movement speed of the relevant transfer device. The lower transfer device 11 on the second travel path 2 is in the process of performing the actuating movement to pick up a carriage and still has a certain amount of time to do so until the carriage currently located midway between two height levels ZI 1 reaches this transfer device 11. The numbers "0", "1" and "2" shown on the travel paths without a reference arrow designate an exemplary movement path of / the carriage 3 of the elevator system 10. Optionally, this can also designate different simultaneously present (in operation) carriages, since the same travel path can be used by multiple carriages.

[0064] Fig. 4 relates to the subdivision into individual process steps, which has been made here for the purpose of easier understanding. Based on this, the person skilled in the art can add intermediate steps and / or specify the input of control variables specifically for individual steps, in particular depending on the at least one parameter selected in each case.

[0065] List of reference symbols

[0066] 1 first road

[0067] 2 second track 3 cars

[0068] 5 Engine, engine segment

[0069] 10 ropeless elevator systems

[0070] 11 converters

[0071] 13 Rotating section 20 Control device

[0072] 21 computing unit

[0073] 23 Communication module

[0074] 30 Sensor unit

[0075] S1 Step of detecting / determining the at least one parameter S2 Step of controlling / regulating the at least one converter

[0076] S3 Step of controlling / regulating at least one further converter

[0077] TO altitude level

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for controlling at least one converter (11) of a ropeless elevator system (10), wherein by means of the converter (11), the converter itself and optionally also at least one motor (5), in particular motor segments of a / the motor, of at least one carriage (3) of the elevator system can be aligned or are aligned by at least one adjusting movement such that the converter (11) and optionally also the carriage or at least the motor are aligned from a first direction of travel defined by a first travel path (1) into / for a second direction of travel defined by a second travel path (2), characterized in that a control / regulation of the (rotational speed of the at least one adjusting movement of the converter (11) is carried out for the situation-specific minimization of this speed depending on at least one parameter,in particular individually for each carriage (3) and / or individually for each alignment process and converter (11)., 2. Method according to the preceding method claim, wherein the control / regulation of the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter (11) to minimize this speed takes place as a function of at least one of the following currently determined / determinable parameters and individually for each carriage (3) and / or individually for each alignment process and converter: current position of the corresponding carriage (3), in particular relative to the relevant converter (11), current travel speed of the corresponding carriage, currently required transport performance of the entire elevator system (10) or at the corresponding converter (11), current capacity utilization of the entire elevator system (10), current occupancy of a carriage (3) stopping at the relevant converter, current type and manner of loading / unloading of a carriage stopping at the relevant converter, time of day or expected capacity utilization value.

3. Method according to the preceding method claim, wherein a control / regulation device (20) of the elevator installation generates a control / regulation signal based on the at least one parameter, in particular individually for each carriage (3) and individually for each alignment process and converter (11), and to the at least one converter (11) for the corresponding direction / lane change.

4. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein a control / regulation signal is generated individually for each converter (11) and exchange / direction change process, which signal specifies a minimum speed of the actuating movement as a function of a current position and speed of a carriage (3) approaching the converter; and / or wherein the actuation of the at least one converter comprises unlocking / locking the at least one converter.

5. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the control of the at least one converter (11) to minimize the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter takes place as a function of a specification or a corresponding parameter from the following group: new desired orientation of the corresponding carriage (3) in a current arrangement / position on the corresponding converter (11), new desired orientation of a / the corresponding free converter, in particular for the purpose of receiving an approaching carriage (3).

6. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter (11) is minimized when a carriage (3) is currently in a position on the corresponding converter, in particular when the carriage (3) is in a loading / unloading state.

7. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the (rotational) speed of the at least one actuating movement of the converter (11) is minimized if a / the determined arrival time of a carriage (3) at the corresponding converter (11) lies further in the future than a converter displacement duration required for the desired actuating movement.

8. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein at least two converters (11) are controlled / regulated in a temporally overlapping manner to align the Converter or at least one carriage (3), in particular in connection with a lane change of the carriage between two tracks (1, 2) running at least approximately parallel to one another.

9. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute a method according to one of the preceding method claims on the computer, in particular a computer program product configured to determine and specify a minimized minimum speed of an actuating movement of at least one converter (11) of a ropeless elevator installation (10).

10. Use of a control / regulation device (20) of a ropeless elevator system (10) for controlling at least one converter (11) of the elevator system, wherein the converter or, by means of the converter, at least one motor (5) of at least one carriage (3) of the elevator system is / are aligned by at least one adjusting movement such that the converter (11) and optionally also the carriage (3) are aligned from a first direction of travel defined by a first travel path (1) into / for a second direction of travel defined by a second travel path (2), wherein a control / regulation of the (rotational) speed of the at least one adjusting movement of the converter (11) for the situation-specific minimization of this speed takes place depending on at least one parameter from the following group, in particular individually for each carriage (3) and / or individually for each alignment process and converter (11): current position of the corresponding carriage and / or the converter,current travel speed of the corresponding carriage (3), currently required transport capacity, current capacity utilization of the entire elevator system, current occupancy and / or current method of loading / unloading of a carriage stopping at the corresponding transfer device (11), time of day and / or expected capacity utilization value.

11. Ropeless elevator installation (10) comprising at least one converter (11), by means of which the converter itself and optionally also at least one motor (5), in particular motor segments of a / the motor, of at least one carriage (3) of the elevator installation (10) by at least one adjusting movement is / are alignable in such a way that the converter (11) and optionally also the carriage (3) or at least the motor is / are aligned from a first direction of travel defined by a first travel path (1) into / for a second direction of travel defined by a second travel path (2), wherein the elevator installation (10) has a control / regulation device (20) set up to specify the rotational speed of a respective adjusting movement of the converter (11) for the situation-specific minimization of this speed as a function of at least one parameter relating to the current situation of the converter (11) or of the at least one carriage (3), in particular in the case of a control / regulation specification individually for each carriage and / or individually for each alignment process and converter.

12. Ropeless elevator installation (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control / regulation device (20) controls at least two converters (11) which are located at least approximately at the same height position on travel paths (1, 2) which run parallel to one another and are connected to one another.

13. Ropeless elevator installation (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control / regulation device (20) controls at least one converter (11) which is located at a junction point of intersecting travel paths.

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