System and method for determining elevator load

Abstract

To provide an elevator control system sending an elevator car.SOLUTION: An elevator car sending method includes the determining whether an elevator car is positioned at a first position among a plurality of positions in which a prescribed position count corresponds to each of the plurality of positions. The elevator car sending method includes determining of the position count of the elevator car at the first position and determining of a load applied on the elevator car at the first position based on a difference between the position count and the prescribed position count corresponding to the first position. The elevator car sending method includes the controlling of the operation of the elevator car based on the load applied on the elevator car at the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for controlling elevator traffic, and more particularly to an example of an elevator control system that dispatches elevator cars based on the travel time for a group of elevator cars.

Background Art

[0002] Elevator systems can generally employ dispatch methods based on the load of the elevator car. In such systems, the estimated load of each elevator car can be determined using one or more devices mounted within the hoistway (i.e., the elevator shaft) of the elevator car.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The one or more devices can include sensors or encoders that detect the weight of the elevator car. In some cases, devices mounted in the hoistway of the elevator car can be costly, require repair or repeated manual calibration to maintain accuracy, and are generally difficult to access. Additionally, such load measuring devices can malfunction under certain conditions where it is essential to determine the weight of the elevator car, such as during an emergency (e.g., a fire). Providing a system that can determine the occupied weight of an elevator car without the need to install load measuring devices within the hoistway of each elevator car can provide a number of advantages, including dispatching elevator cars to passengers based on the occupied weight of the elevator car, thereby increasing traffic and reducing the waiting time of passengers.

[0004] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and constituting a part of this disclosure illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the specification, are useful in explaining the principles of the disclosure. Aspects of this disclosure may be implemented in relation to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate different aspects of this disclosure, and where appropriate, reference numerals indicating similar structures, components, materials, and / or elements in different drawings are numbered similarly. It will be understood that various combinations of structures, components, and / or elements other than those specifically shown are contemplated and fall within the scope of this disclosure. Many aspects and embodiments are described herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that features of a particular aspect or embodiment may be used in conjunction with any or all features of other aspects or embodiments described herein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] For example, the method for dispatching an elevator car includes determining that the elevator car is located at a first position among a plurality of positions, wherein a predetermined position count corresponds to each of the plurality of positions; determining the position count of the elevator car at the first position; determining the load of the elevator car at the first position based on the difference between the position count and the predetermined position count corresponding to the first position; and controlling the operation of the elevator car based on the load of the elevator car at the first position.

[0006] In another example, an elevator car dispatch system comprises: a position device operably connected to a plurality of elevator cars, the position device being configured to determine the position count of each of the plurality of elevator cars when it is located in one of a plurality of positions; and at least one dispatch controller operably connected to at least one of the position devices of the plurality of elevator cars, wherein the at least one dispatch controller is configured to determine the load of the first elevator car based on the position count of the first elevator car when it is located in a first position among the plurality of positions, and to control the operation of the first elevator car based on the load of the first elevator car when it is located in the first position.

[0007] In yet another example, a multi-elevator car dispatch system comprises a processor and a memory that stores instructions for the processor to perform a plurality of operations when executed by the processor, the plurality of operations including determining that a first elevator car among the plurality of elevator cars is located at a first position among a plurality of positions, each of which includes a corresponding specified position count; determining the position count of the first elevator car at the first position; determining the load of the first elevator car based on the difference between the position count and the specified position count corresponding to the first position; and operating the first elevator car based on the load of the first elevator car at the first position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram illustrating a shipping system that includes one or more devices communicating via a network. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the work environment, including multiple elevator cars at different locations that interact with the shipping system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3]Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the inside of an elevator car as seen from the working environment, where the elevator car moves in accordance with the increasing occupied weight. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the hardware components of the computer device from the shipping system. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for transporting an elevator car equipped with the transport system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The shipping system of this disclosure may take the form of various embodiments, some of which are shown in the figures and further described below. Both the general description above and the detailed description below are illustrative and descriptive and do not limit the features to those claimed. Where used herein, “equipment,” “includes,” or other variations thereof are intended not to imply that a process, method, article, or apparatus containing a list of elements includes only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly described or inherent in such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In addition, the term “exemplary” is used herein in the sense of “example” and not “ideal.” Note that all numerical values ​​disclosed or claimed herein (including all disclosed values, limitations, and ranges) may vary by + / - 10% from the disclosed numerical values ​​(unless different variations are specified). Furthermore, in the claims, values, limitations, and / or ranges mean + / - 10% of the values, limitations, and / or ranges.

[0010] Figure 1 shows an exemplary dispatch system 100, which may comprise a dispatch controller 105, a call device 110, a location device 120, and a dispatch controller 125. One or more devices of the dispatch system 100 may communicate with each other in any configuration via a network 115. For example, the devices of the dispatch system 100 may be connected to each other in a communicative manner via wired or wireless connections. In some embodiments, the network 115 may be a wide area network ("WAN"), a local area network ("LAN"), a personal area network ("PAN"), etc. The network 115 may further include the Internet, and information and / or data provided between devices of the dispatch system 100 may originate online (for example, from a location away from other devices or the Internet-connected network). In other embodiments, the network 115 may utilize Bluetooth® technology and / or radio frequencies.

[0011] The operation controller 105 may be operably connected to a transport unit and may be configured to detect operation data of the transport unit and transmit it to one or more devices of the dispatch system 100, such as a dispatch controller 125. For example, the operation controller 105 may measure and record one or more parameters of the transport unit (e.g., operation data), which may include, but are not limited to, current position, direction of movement, speed of movement, door position, status, etc. The operation controller 105 may include a computer device, which has one or more hardware components (e.g., a processor, memory, sensors, communication modules, etc.) for generating, storing, and transmitting operation data. As will be described in more detail herein, the operation controller 105 may be operably connected to an elevator car located within a building, and the dispatch system 100 may include at least one operation controller 105 for each elevator car.

[0012] Continuing to refer to Figure 1, the call device 110 may be located outside the transport unit and may be configured to receive user input from one or more passengers requesting access to the transport unit. For example, the user input may indicate a call requesting transport from the transport unit. The call device 110 may be configured to send the call request to one or more devices of the dispatch system 100, such as the dispatch controller 125. The call device 110 may include a keypad, a touchscreen display, a microphone, buttons, switches, etc. The call device 110 may further be configured to receive user input from multiple locations indicating the current location (e.g., a first location) and / or destination location of the call request.

[0013] As will be described in more detail herein, the call device 110 may be located within a building, and the dispatch system 100 may have at least one call device 110 for each floor of the building. The call device 110 may be configured to send a message from one or more devices of the dispatch system 100 (e.g., a dispatch controller 125) that identifies an elevator car assigned to arrive at a floor of the building in response to a call request. The message may be communicated by the call device 110 through various appropriate forms, including, for example, text, voice, graphics, etc.

[0014] The input device 112 may be located inside the transport unit and may be configured to receive user input from one or more occupants of the transport unit. For example, the user input may indicate a command requesting redirection of the transport unit. The input device 112 may be configured to send commands to one or more devices of the dispatch system 100, such as the dispatch controller 125. The input device 112 may include a keypad, a touchscreen display, a microphone, buttons, switches, etc. As described in detail herein, the input device 112 may be located inside the elevator car, and the dispatch system 100 may include at least one input device 112 for each elevator car in the building. In other embodiments, the input device 112 may be omitted entirely from the dispatch system 100.

[0015] Referring further to Figure 1, the positioning device 120 may be located outside the transport unit and may be configured to detect data from the transport unit (e.g., position count) and transmit it to one or more devices of the shipping system 100, such as a shipping controller 125. For example, the positioning device 120 may measure and record a position count in response to a transport unit arriving at at least one of a plurality of positions. The positioning device 120 may include a computer device having one or more hardware components (e.g., a processor, memory, sensors, communication modules, etc.) for generating, storing, and transmitting position count data.

[0016] As will be described in more detail herein, the positioning device 120 may be operably connected to one or more operation controllers 105 of elevator cars located within a building, and the dispatch system 100 may include at least one positioning device 120 for each elevator car. In other examples, one positioning device 120 may be operably connected to multiple elevator cars located within a building, and the dispatch system 100 may include at least one positioning device 120 for each building. The positioning device 120 may be configured to detect and / or measure the offset of the elevator car from its location (floor) within the building. The elevator car offset may indicate the weight occupied by the elevator car, which may include the current load in the cabin due to one or more occupants, each person's belongings, luggage, bags, etc.

[0017] The dispatch controller 125 may be located outside the transport unit and may be configured to receive data (e.g., operation data, call requests, redirect commands, location count data, etc.) from one or more devices of the dispatch system 100. The dispatch controller 125 may further be configured to determine to dispatch at least one of a plurality of transport units in response to a call request received from a passenger who wishes to board. The dispatch controller 125 may include a computer device (see Figure 4) that can operate to perform one or more operations (see Figure 5) to dispatch at least one transport unit to pick up a passenger based on at least one location count data. As will be described in more detail herein, the dispatch controller 125 may be operably connected to a plurality of elevator cars located within a building, and the dispatch system 100 may include at least one dispatch controller 125 for each building.

[0018] Referring here to Figure 2, the shipping system 100 may be used in a work environment 200 such as a building (e.g., a facility, factory, shop, school, house, office, and various other structures). In this example, the transport unit may include one or more elevator cars within the building. The work environment 200 is merely illustrative, and it should be understood that the shipping system 100 may be used in a variety of other suitable environments other than those shown and described herein, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In this example, the work environment 200 may include multiple floors defining multiple locations within the building, for example, a first floor 204A, a second floor 204B, a third floor 204C, and a fourth floor 204D. In other embodiments, it should be understood that the construction of the work environment 200 may include additional and / or fewer floors.

[0019] The working environment 200 may further include one or more elevator shafts (e.g., hoistways) having at least one elevator car located within each elevator shaft. In this example, the working environment 200 may include a first elevator shaft 202 having at least one first elevator car 210, and a second elevator shaft 212 having at least one second elevator car 220. Each elevator shaft 202, 212 may be located at different locations on multiple floors 204A to 204D. In other words, on each of the multiple floors 204A to 204D, the first elevator shaft 202 may be located at a first position "A", and the second elevator shaft 212 may be located at a second position "B" different from the first position "A". Although not shown in the illustration, the working environment 200 may also include locations where additional (e.g., multiple) elevator shafts, elevator cars, elevator shafts, and elevator cars are located. Therefore, it should be understood that the working environment 200 may include multiple first elevator shafts 202 containing multiple first elevator cars 210, multiple second elevator shafts 212 containing multiple second elevator cars 220, and so on.

[0020] Each elevator car 210, 220 may be connected to a hoisting mechanism configured to move the elevator cars 210, 220 within elevator shafts 202, 212 with respect to floors 204A - 204D. In this example, the hoisting mechanism of the work environment 200 may be disposed within each elevator shaft 202, 212 and may include at least one pulley system 208 fixed to each elevator car 210, 220 disposed therein. The pulley system 208 may include various mechanical and / or electrical mechanisms for moving the elevator cars 210, 220 within the elevator shafts 202, 212, and it should be understood that such mechanisms include, for example, but are not limited to, motors, cables, counterweights, pulleys, etc.

[0021] In this example, each pulley system 208 may include a cable assembly 205 connected to each elevator car 210, 220. The cable assembly 205 may be configured to move each elevator car 210, 220 up and down with respect to the elevator shafts 202, 212, respectively. The cable assembly 205 may include various suitable devices including, but not limited to, sealed strands, multiple wires, multiple ropes, etc. Further, the cable assembly 205 may be formed of various materials such as metal (steel) and / or other composite materials. In some embodiments, the cable assembly 205 may be at least partially flexible, and as a result, the cable assembly 205 may be elongated and / or extended longitudinally in response to a force applied to the cable assembly 205, such as by the load of the elevator cars 210, 220.

[0022] Referring further to FIG. 2, each elevator car 210, 220 may include at least one operation controller 105 operably connected to the pulley system 208 via, for example, a wireless connection and / or a wired connection 209. The operation controller 105 may be configured to measure operation data from the elevator cars 210, 220 by detecting the relative movement of the pulley system 208. In this embodiment, the operation controller 105 can measure operation data indicating the degree of extension and / or elongation of the cable assembly 205 during use of the elevator cars 210, 22. Each elevator car 210, 220 may further include at least one input device 112 disposed within the cabin of the elevator car 210, 220 for receiving user input from one or more passengers 10 located within the cabin.

[0023] Each floor 204A-204D may include one or more calling devices 110 and access doors 206 that provide access to the elevator cars 210, 220 when the elevator doors 207 of the elevator cars 210, 220 are at the positions of the respective floors 204A-204D at the positions of the respective elevator shafts 202, 212 on the same floor 204A-204D. The calling device 110 may be configured to receive user input from one or more prospective passengers 20 located at one of a plurality of positions on one of the floors 204A-204D. For example, the calling device 110 may be configured to receive user input indicating a call requesting transportation via at least one of the elevator cars 210, 220. The calling device 110 may be configured to send the call request to the dispatch controller 125, and the call request may include data indicating the current position (e.g., the first position "A" on the first floor 204A) within the work environment 200 where the call request is originated. The call request may further include data indicating the destination position (e.g., the fourth floor 204D) within the work environment 200 where the prospective passenger is seeking transportation.

[0024] Referring further to Figure 2, each elevator shaft 202,212 may include at least one position device 120 that communicates with the corresponding operation controller 105. For example, the position device 120 may be located in a different location from the operation controller 105 and / or on a floor of the building. In some embodiments, the position device 120 may be located in a room within the building (e.g., a motor room) or may be located outside the building at all. In other embodiments, the position device 120 may be located within the elevator shafts 202,212. The position device 120 may be configured to detect the position count of one or more elevator cars within each elevator shaft 202,212. In some embodiments, the position device 120 may include an elevator encoder physically located within each elevator shaft 202,212. Each position device 210 may communicate with the corresponding operation controller 110 and / or pulley system 208 of each elevator shaft 202,212. In this example, the positioning device 120 may include a wired connection to the operation controller 110 and / or pulley system 208 located in close proximity to the positioning device 120 within the elevator shafts 202, 212.

[0025] The elevator car position count may include a numerical representation of the elevator car's current position relative to the elevator shaft, particularly the height above a fixed reference point defined by the bottom surface of the elevator shaft. The bottom surface of the elevator shaft may include the first floor 204A, or a surface located below the first floor 204A. The elevator car position count may be referenced by the dispatch controller 125 to maintain a real-time display of the elevator car's current position within the elevator shaft. As described below, the dispatch controller 125 may be configured to reference and compare the position counts of each elevator car 210,220 with pre-programmed position counts for floors 204A-204D (e.g., specified position count data 144) in order to determine the current load of each elevator car 210,220.

[0026] For example, as shown in Figure 3, if the cabin of the elevator car 220 does not contain occupants 20 and / or objects 22, the elevator car 220 may be positioned at a first height E1 that coincides with the height of a first position (e.g., floor 204). In this case, the cable assembly 205 may have a first length L1 defined between the mounting interface between the pulley system 208 and the elevator car 220 (e.g., along the upper wall defining the cabin). In response to receiving one or more occupants 20 and / or objects 22 in the cabin, the elevator car 220 may move to a second height E2 that is different from the first height E1 (i.e., the height of the first position) by an offset distance D1. In other words, due to an increase in the load on the elevator car 220, such as the presence of one or more occupants 20 and / or objects 22 inside the cabin of the elevator car 220, the elevator car 220 may move at least partially (for example, vertically downward along the direction of gravity) while stopped on one of the multiple floors 204.

[0027] The cable assembly 205 is subjected to forces imposed by the increased load of the elevator car 220, thereby causing the cable assembly 205 to stretch at least partially. The degree of stretching in the cable assembly 205 may correspond to the force imposed on the cable assembly 205 by the elevator car 220. Furthermore, the amount of force imposed by the elevator car 220 may correspond to the current load of the elevator car 220, such as being at least partially based on the weight occupied by the elevator car 220. The cable assembly 205 may extend to a second length L2 greater than the first length L1 when the elevator car 220 receives occupants 20 and / or objects 22 in the cabin. In this case, the cable assembly 205 may stretch by an extension distance D2 that defines the difference between the first length L1 and the second length L2.

[0028] As described above, the position device 120 may communicate with the operation controller 105 via the network 115 and receive operation data corresponding to the elevator car 220 from the operation controller 105. The position device 120 may be configured to determine the position count of the elevator car 220 based on the operation data of the elevator car 220, and the operation data may indicate the extension distance D2 and offset distance D1 of the cable assembly 205 (i.e., the straight-line distance from the height of the floor 204 on which the elevator car 220 is located to the elevator car 220). For example, the operation controller 105 may be configured to allow movement of the elevator car 220 based on an increased load received in the cabin by acting on the pulley system 208 to readjust the elevator car 220 to a first height E1. The operation data measured and transmitted by the operation controller 105 may correspond to the straight-line distance required for the elevator car 220 to move and reposition the elevator car 220 to the first height E1. The positioning device 120 may record measured values ​​such as position count data and transmit such data (e.g., position count data 142) to the dispatch controller 125 for each elevator car 210, 220 via the network 115.

[0029] Referring here to Figure 4, the dispatch controller 125 may include a computer device incorporating multiple hardware configurations that enable the dispatch controller 125 to receive data (e.g., operation data, call requests, commands, occupancy data, etc.), process information (e.g., passenger capacity), and / or perform one or more processes (see Figure 5). An exemplary hardware configuration of the dispatch controller 125 may include at least one processor 132, at least one communication module 134, a user interface 136, and at least one memory 138. In some embodiments, the dispatch controller 125 may include a computer, a mobile user device, a remote station, a server, cloud storage, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispatch controller 125 is shown and described herein as a separate device from other devices of the dispatch system 100, but in other embodiments, one or more aspects of the dispatch controller 125 may be integrated with one or more other devices of the dispatch system 100. In other words, the exemplary hardware configuration of the dispatch controller 125 as shown herein may be integrated with one or more of the operation controller 105, the caller 110, the input device 112, and / or the position device 120.

[0030] The processor 132 may include any computer device capable of executing machine-readable instructions, the instructions of which may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium such as memory 138. For example, the processor 132 may include a controller, an integrated circuit, a microchip, a computer, and / or any other computer processing unit capable of operating to perform calculations and logical operations necessary to execute a program. As described in detail herein, the processor 132 may be configured to perform one or more operations according to instructions stored in memory 138, such as operation logic 140. A communication module 134 may facilitate communication between the dispatch controller 125 and one or more other devices of the dispatch system 100, for example, via a network 115. The user interface 136 may include one or more input and output devices, including one or more input ports and one or more output ports. The user interface 136 may include, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc., as input ports. The user interface 136 may further include, for example, a monitor, display, printer, etc., as output ports. The user interface 136 may be configured to receive user input indicating various commands, including, but not limited to, commands that specify and / or adjust the specified position count data 144 and / or threshold data 146 stored in memory 138.

[0031] Continuing to refer to Figure 4, memory 138 may include various programmed algorithms and data that support the operation of the dispatch system 100. Memory 138 may include any type of computer-readable medium suitable for storing data and algorithms, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard drive, and / or any device capable of storing machine-readable instructions. Memory 138 may include one or more datasets, which include, but are not limited to, operation data received from the operation controller 105, position count data 142 received from the position device 120, specified position count data 144 for each of the multiple floors 204A to 204D, and load data 148 determined for each of the multiple elevator cars 210, 220.

[0032] The dispatch controller 125 may be configured to store position count data 142 in memory 138 and associate it with corresponding specified position count data 144 for the location of the elevator cars 210,220 to determine the load of the elevator cars 210,220 (i.e., load data 148). The load data 148 may include real-time occupied weight measurements for each elevator car 210,220. Memory 138 may further include threshold data 146 that can be pre-programmed and / or adjusted by a user of the dispatch system 100, for example, via a user interface 136. The threshold data 146 may define one or more tolerance levels for initiating control of multiple elevator cars 210,220 according to the operation logic 140. As described herein, the dispatch controller 125 may be configured to control the operation of multiple elevator cars 210, 220 in at least one of multiple modes (e.g., dispatch mode, bypass mode, overload mode, etc.) based on one or more of position count data 142, specified position count data 144, threshold data 146, and / or load data 148.

[0033] In one example, the operation logic 140 may include executable instructions that enable the dispatch system 100 to determine the dispatch operation for each elevator car 210, 220 upon receiving a passenger from a first position "A". Furthermore, the operation logic 140 may determine which of the multiple elevator cars 210, 220 to dispatch in response to receiving a call request at the first position "A" for transport to a destination position. The operation logic 140 may facilitate the determination of the operating mode of each elevator car 210, 220 based on the load of each elevator car 210, 220.

[0034] Referring next to Figure 5, an example of a method 300 for controlling the operation of multiple elevator cars based on the current load of the elevator cars using the dispatch system 100 is shown. It should be understood that the steps shown and described herein, and the order in which they are presented, are merely illustrative and may include various configurations in which further steps are added and / or fewer steps, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0035] First, the dispatch system 100 may receive a call request at a first location "A" among several locations within the work environment 200. The call request may be issued in response to a passenger 20 activating a call device 110 at the first location "A" adjacent to the second elevator shaft 212 on the fourth floor 204D. The call device 110 may transmit the call request to the dispatch controller 125 via the network 115, and the call request may include data indicating the first location "A" from which the call request was issued. The call request may further include data indicating the destination location within the work environment 200 to which the passenger 20 intends to go (e.g., the first floor 204A). At least one of the multiple elevator cars 210, 220, for example, the second elevator car 220, may be dispatched to the fourth floor 204D in response to the call request.

[0036] In step 302, referring again to Figure 2, the dispatch controller 125 may be configured to determine that the second elevator car 220 has arrived at the position of the fourth floor 204D. In step 304, the dispatch controller 125 may allow a predetermined duration to elapse before the position device 120 determines the position count of the elevator car 220 (step 306). The dispatch controller 125 may start calculating the predetermined duration in response to one or more points in time, such as when the elevator car 220 arrives at the fourth floor 204D or when one or more doors 206, 207 open.

[0037] Referring again to Figure 3, prior to the passengers 20 entering the cabin of the elevator car 220, the elevator car 220 may be positioned at a first height E1 on the fourth floor 204D. In other words, the height of the elevator car 220 relative to the elevator shaft 212 may coincide with the first height E1 of the first position (e.g., the fourth floor 204D). In this case, the operation data recorded by the operation controller 105 may show a cable assembly 205 having a first length L1 with respect to the relative weight occupied by the elevator car 220. When one or more passengers 20 and / or objects 22 enter the elevator car 220 during a specified duration, the elevator car 220 may move at least partially relative to the elevator shaft 212 as the weight occupied in the cabin increases.

[0038] Once the specified duration is complete in step 304, the position device 120 may determine the position count of the elevator car 220 and transmit it to the dispatch controller 125 in the form of position count data 142. For example, the position device 120 may receive operation data generated by the corresponding operation controller 105 connected to the elevator car 220 and determine the position count based on the offset distance D1 (defined between the second height E2 of the elevator car 220 and the first height D1 of the fourth floor 204D) and / or the extension distance D2 (defined by the difference between the second length L2 and the first length L1 of the cable assembly 205).

[0039] In step 308, the dispatch controller 125 may be configured to determine the current load of the elevator car 220 based on position count data 142 from the position device 120. For example, the dispatch controller 125 may compare the position count of the elevator car 220 at a first position (e.g., the fourth floor 204D) with a specified position count for the first position stored in memory 138 in the form of specified position count data 144. In this example, the dispatch controller 125 may calculate the load of the elevator car 220 based on the difference between the specified position count for the fourth floor 204D and the position count of the elevator car 220 at the fourth floor 204D. It should be understood that each of the multiple floors 204A to 204D may contain a corresponding specified position count.

[0040] For example, the specified position count for the fourth floor 204D may be approximately 2000 counts. Prior to receiving passengers 20 and / or objects 22 into the elevator car 220, the position device 120 may determine that the elevator car 220's position count is approximately 2000 counts. Therefore, the dispatch controller 125 may compare the position count data 142 with the specified position count data 144 for the fourth floor 204D and determine that the elevator car 220 has a 0% load. In contrast, once passengers 20 and / or objects 22 are received into the cabin, the position device 120 may determine that the elevator car 220's position count is approximately 1995 counts. In this case, the dispatch controller 125 may determine that the elevator car 220 has a 50% load. In yet another example, if the positioning device 120 determines that the position count of the elevator car 220 on the fourth floor 204D is 1990 counts, the dispatch controller 125 may determine that the elevator car 220 is under 90% load.

[0041] Referring further to Figure 5, in step 310, the dispatch controller 125 may be configured to compare the current load of the elevator car 220 with threshold data 146, in particular at least a position occupancy threshold for a first position (e.g., the fourth floor 204D). The position occupancy threshold may define a load measurement indicating the need to stop an additional elevator car at the first position to accommodate a passenger 20 located on the floor. In other words, the dispatch controller 125 may determine that the current load in the elevator car 220 indicates that an additional passenger 20 may be located at the first position and that the passenger 20 may require transport using one or more additional elevator cars.

[0042] In step 312, the dispatch controller 125 may further compare the current load of the elevator car 220 with the cabin capacity threshold of the elevator car 220. The cabin capacity threshold may define a load measurement indicating the need to move an additional elevator car to a first position to accommodate the passengers 20 currently located in the cabin of the elevator car 220. In other words, the cabin capacity threshold defines the maximum allowable load of the elevator car 220 at which an additional elevator car is required to transport the excess passengers 20 accommodated in the elevator car 220. It should be understood that the dispatch controller 125 may store multiple thresholds (threshold data 146) for each of the multiple elevator cars in the building in the memory 138, and the multiple elevator cars may have similar and / or different capacities, at least based on the size of the elevator cars.

[0043] In step 314, the dispatch controller 125 may be configured to determine whether the current load of elevator car 220 exceeds the position occupancy threshold for the fourth floor 204D. In response to determining that the current load of elevator car 220 exceeds the position occupancy threshold for the fourth floor 204D, the dispatch controller 125 may be configured to dispatch at least the second elevator car (e.g., elevator car 210) to the first position. In this case, the dispatch controller 125 may determine that additional passengers 20 may be located on the fourth floor 204D and that additional call requests to the dispatch system 100 may be received from the fourth floor 204D.

[0044] Therefore, in step 316, the dispatch controller 125 may, in anticipation of a call request from a passenger 20 on that floor, dispatch the elevator car 210 to the first position and stop, and control the operation of at least one elevator car (e.g., elevator car 210) according to the overload mode (operation logic 140). In some embodiments, in step 314, one or more (e.g., multiple) elevator cars may be dispatched to the first position based on the extent to which the current load is determined to exceed the position occupancy threshold.

[0045] In step 318, in response to dispatching the second elevator car to its first position (step 316) and / or that the load on the elevator car 220 does not exceed the position occupancy threshold (step 314), the dispatch controller 125 may be configured to determine whether the current load on the elevator car 220 exceeds the cabin capacity threshold of the elevator car 220. In response to determining that the current load exceeds the cabin capacity threshold, the dispatch controller 125 may be configured in step 320 to prohibit dispatching the elevator car 220 from its first position. In this case, the dispatch controller 125 may determine that the number of occupants 20 and / or objects 22 present in the cabin of the elevator car 220 exceeds a safe tolerance level. The dispatch controller 125 may control the operation of the elevator car 220 according to an overload mode (operation logic 140) by restricting further operation of the elevator car 220.

[0046] In step 322, the dispatch controller 125 may send a message to the cabin of the elevator car 220 (for example, via the input device 112) to notify the occupants of the overload condition. The message may also instruct one or more occupants 20 in the elevator car 220 to leave the cabin. In other embodiments, step 322 may be omitted entirely.

[0047] In step 324, the dispatch controller 125 can dispatch at least one elevator car to the first position to receive the occupants 20 exiting the elevator car 220. In some embodiments, in step 318, one or more (e.g., multiple) elevator cars may be dispatched to the first position based on the extent to which the current load is determined to exceed the cabin capacity threshold. For example, the cabin capacity threshold may be in the range of about 80% to 90% of the maximum allowable load of the elevator car 220. Once at least a second elevator car has been dispatched to the first position (step 326), the dispatch controller 125 may allow a specified duration to elapse in step 304 prior to re-evaluating the position count of the elevator car 220 in step 306.

[0048] In step 326, in response to the fact that the load of the elevator car 220 does not exceed the cabin capacity threshold (step 318), the dispatch controller 125 determines that the current load of the elevator car 220 is a predefined variance (threshold data) relative to the cabin capacity threshold. The dispatch controller 125 may be configured to determine whether the load is within a specified threshold. In response to determining that the load is within a specified threshold, the dispatch controller 125 may control the operation of the elevator car 220 according to a bypass mode (operation logic 140) by preventing the elevator car 220 from receiving call requests from passengers 20 who are in other locations (e.g., floors 204A-204C). The dispatch controller 125 may determine that it is not necessary to completely stop the operation of the elevator car because the current load does not exceed the safe allowable load of the elevator car 220, but the current load is large enough to deter further passengers 20 from entering the elevator car 220.

[0049] The dispatch controller 125 can enable the elevator car 220 to operate according to a bypass mode in which call requests from other locations are ignored by the elevator car 220 until the load in the cabin decreases to a specified difference from the cabin capacity threshold. For example, the specified difference may be in the range of approximately 1.0% to approximately 10.0% of the cabin capacity threshold. Alternatively, in step 326, in response to determining that the load is not within the specified difference from the threshold, the dispatch controller 125 may control the operation of the elevator car 220 according to the dispatch mode of the operation logic 140. In this case, the dispatch controller 125 may dispatch the elevator car 220 from a first position to a second position based on the destination position input received from the passengers 20 in the cabin.

[0050] All technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art of the subject, unless otherwise specified. Where a singular noun is used herein, it includes the plural noun unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0051] The above description is illustrative and not intended to be restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and / or changes without departing from the general scope of this disclosure. For example, as already described, the above embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, some of the above embodiments may be omitted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, specific situations or materials may be modified to suit the teachings of various embodiments without departing from their scope. Many other embodiments will also be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the above description.

[0052] [Example 1] The method of shipping the elevator car, The determination that the elevator car is located at a first position among a plurality of positions, wherein the specified position count corresponds to each of the plurality of positions, Determining the position count of the elevator car at the first position, Based on the difference between the position count and the specified position count corresponding to the first position, the load on the elevator car at the first position is determined. Controlling the operation of the elevator car based on the load on the elevator car at the first position, Methods that include...

[0053] [Example 2] Prior to determining the position count of the elevator car at the first position, The elevator car waits for a predetermined duration after arriving at the first position, The method described in Example 1 above.

[0054] [Example 3] Determining the position count of the elevator car at the first position is: This includes determining the offset of the elevator car from the height of the first position in response to the movement of the elevator car after the specified duration, The method described in Example 2 above.

[0055] [Example 4] The offset includes the straight-line distance from the height of the first position to the elevator car when the elevator car is in the first position. The method described in Example 3 above.

[0056] [Example 5] The lifting mechanism is connected to the elevator car and is configured to move the elevator car to the plurality of positions, and the linear distance corresponds to the extension of the lifting mechanism when the elevator car is in the first position. The method described in Example 4 above.

[0057] [Example 6] Prior to controlling the operation of the elevator car, This includes comparing the load of the elevator car at the first position with a first threshold value that defines the positional occupancy at the first position and a second threshold value that defines the allowable capacity of the elevator car. The method described in Example 1 above.

[0058] [Example 7] The method according to Example 6, wherein the operation of the elevator car includes a dispatch mode when the load on the elevator car does not exceed the first threshold and the second threshold.

[0059] [Example 8] When the elevator car is in the dispatch mode, the elevator car is further dispatched from the first position to a second position among the plurality of positions. The method described in Example 7 above.

[0060] [Example 9] When the load on the elevator car exceeds the first threshold and the second threshold, the operation of the elevator car includes an overload mode. The method described in Example 6 above.

[0061] [Example 10] When the elevator car is in the overload mode, the dispatch of the elevator car from the first position to the second position among the plurality of positions is stopped. To dispatch at least the second elevator car to the first position, The method described in Example 9 above, further including the method described in Example 9 above.

[0062] [Example 11] Further includes transmitting a warning indicating the overload mode to the elevator car. The method described in Example 10 above.

[0063] [Example 12] When the load on the elevator car exceeds the first threshold but does not exceed the second threshold, the operation of the elevator car includes a bypass mode. The method described in Example 6 above.

[0064] [Example 13] To dispatch the elevator car from the first position to the second position among the plurality of positions, In order to prevent the elevator car from accepting additional loads, the elevator car ignores call requests to the elevator car, Dispatching at least one second elevator car to the first position, The method described in Example 12 above, further comprising:

[0065] [Example 14] Determining that the elevator car is in the second position, Determining the position count of the elevator car at the second position, Determining the load on the elevator car at the second position, Based on the load on the elevator car at the second position, the operation of the elevator car is to be re-evaluated, The method described in Example 13 above, further including the method described in Example 13.

[0066] [Example 15] It is an elevator car dispatch system, A position device comprising at least one position device operably connected to multiple elevator cars, configured to determine the position count of each of the multiple elevator cars when it is located at one of a plurality of positions, At least one dispatch controller operably connected to at least one of the position devices of the plurality of elevator cars, Equipped with, At least one of the aforementioned shipping controllers, The system is configured to determine the load on the first elevator car based on the position count of the first elevator car when the first elevator car among the plurality of elevator cars is located at a first position among the plurality of positions, The operation of the first elevator car is controlled based on the load on the first elevator car when it is in the first position. system.

[0067] [Example 16] At least one of the aforementioned shipping controllers, The load on the first elevator car at the first position is compared with a threshold value that defines the allowable capacity of the first elevator car, The system is configured to determine the operation of the first elevator car based on a comparison of the load with respect to the threshold, The system described in Example 15 above.

[0068] [Example 17] At least one of the aforementioned shipping controllers, The system is configured to determine that the operation of the first elevator car includes the dispatch mode when the load of the first elevator car is less than the threshold, The system is configured to control the first elevator car based on the dispatch mode by dispatching the first elevator car from the first position to a second position among the plurality of positions. The method described in Example 16 above.

[0069] [Example 18] At least one of the aforementioned shipping controllers, The system is configured to determine that the operation of the first elevator car includes an overload mode when the load of the first elevator car is greater than the threshold, The system is configured to control the first elevator car based on the overload mode by prohibiting the dispatch of the first elevator car from the first position. The method described in Example 16 above.

[0070] [Example 19] At least one of the aforementioned shipping controllers, The system is configured to determine that the operation of the first elevator car includes a bypass mode when the load of the first elevator car is less than or equal to the threshold by a specified difference, The system is configured to control the first elevator car based on the bypass mode by dispatching the first elevator car from the first position to a second position among the plurality of positions, The first elevator car is configured to prevent it from receiving additional call requests from the plurality of locations. The method described in Example 16 above.

[0071] [Example 20] A system for distributing multiple elevator cars, Processor and A memory that stores instructions that cause the processor to perform multiple operations when executed by the aforementioned processor, Equipped with, The aforementioned operations are: Determining that the first elevator car among the plurality of elevator cars is located at the first position among the plurality of positions, wherein each of the plurality of positions includes a corresponding predetermined position count, Determining the position count of the first elevator car at the first position, Based on the difference between the position count and the specified position count corresponding to the first position, the load of the first elevator car is determined. Based on the load on the first elevator car at the first position, the first elevator car is operated, A system that includes this.

Claims

1. 1. A method of operating one or more elevator cars, comprising: determining that a first elevator car is in a first location of a plurality of locations, each of the plurality of locations including a defined location count; determining a position count of the first elevator car at the first location; determining a load of the first elevator car at the first location based on a difference between the location count and the predetermined location count corresponding to the first location; comparing the load of the first elevator car at the first location to a first threshold defining a position occupancy of the first location; parking a second elevator car at the first location when the load on the first elevator car exceeds the first threshold at the first location; A method comprising:

2. the first threshold value indicative of one or more passengers remaining at the first location for transportation by the one or more elevator cars after the first elevator car departs from the first location. The method of claim 1.

3. and controlling the second elevator car to transport one or more passengers at the first location to a second location of the plurality of locations after the first elevator car departs from the first location. The method of claim 1.

4. and comparing the load of the first elevator car at the first location to a second threshold defining an allowable capacity of the first elevator car. The method of claim 1.

5. and controlling operation of the first elevator car according to a dispatch mode by dispatching the first elevator car from the first location to a second location of the plurality of locations when the load on the first elevator car does not exceed the first threshold and the second threshold. The method according to claim 4.

6. controlling operation of the first elevator car according to an overload mode by stopping dispatching the first elevator car from the first location to a second location of the plurality of locations when the load on the first elevator car exceeds the first threshold and the second threshold; sending a warning to an occupant of the first elevator car indicative of an overload mode to exit the first elevator car and enter the second elevator car parked at the first location. The method according to claim 4.

7. controlling operation of the first elevator car according to a bypass mode by dispatching the first elevator car from the first location to a second location of the plurality of locations when the load on the first elevator car is equal to or less than the second threshold by a specified difference; the first elevator car ignoring call requests for the first elevator car from one or more of the plurality of locations such that the first elevator car does not accept additional load; Further comprising: The method according to claim 4.

8. determining that the first elevator car is in the second location; determining the position count of the first elevator car at the second location; determining the load on the first elevator car at the second location; and and reevaluating the operation of the first elevator car based on the load of the first elevator car at the second location. The method of claim 7.

9. waiting a prescribed duration after the first elevator car reaches the first location prior to determining the position count of the first elevator car at the first location. The method of claim 1.

10. determining the position count of the first elevator car at the first location includes determining an offset of the first elevator car from an elevation of the first location in response to movement of the first elevator car after the specified duration.

10. The method of claim 9.

11. the offset comprises a linear distance from a height of the first position to the first elevator car when the first elevator car is located at the first position. The method of claim 10.

12. a hoisting mechanism connected to the first elevator car and configured to move the first elevator car to the plurality of positions, the linear distance corresponding to an extension of the hoisting mechanism when the first elevator car is located at the first position; The method of claim 11.

13. 1. A system for operating a plurality of elevator cars, comprising: at least one position device operatively connected to the plurality of elevator cars, the position device configured to determine a position count for each of the plurality of elevator cars when located in one of a plurality of positions; at least one dispatch controller operatively connected to the at least one position device of the plurality of elevator cars; Equipped with The at least one dispatch controller: determining the position count when a first elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars is located at a first location of the plurality of locations; determining a load of the first elevator car based on a difference between the position count of the first elevator car when located at the first location and a prescribed position count for the first location, each of the plurality of locations including a corresponding prescribed position count; comparing the load of the first elevator car at the first location to a first threshold defining a position occupancy of the first location; parking a second elevator car at the first location when the load on the first elevator car exceeds the first threshold at the first location; A system configured to:

14. The at least one dispatch controller: comparing the load of the first elevator car at the first location to a second threshold defining an allowable capacity of the first elevator car; controlling operation of the first elevator car according to a bypass mode by dispatching the first elevator car from the first location to a second location of the plurality of locations when the load on the first elevator car is equal to or less than the second threshold by a specified difference; preventing the first elevator car from receiving additional call requests from the plurality of locations; and configured to: The system of claim 13.

15. the prescribed difference being a percentage of the second threshold defining an allowable capacity of the first elevator car. The system of claim 14.

16. the at least one dispatch controller is configured to control operation of the first elevator car based on the load of the first elevator car at the first location. The system of claim 14.

17. 1. A method of operating one or more elevator cars, comprising: determining that a first elevator car is located at a first location of a plurality of locations, a defined location count corresponding to each of the plurality of locations; determining a position count of the first elevator car at the first location; determining a load of the first elevator car at the first location based on a difference between the position count of the first elevator car and the prescribed position count for the first location; comparing the load of the first elevator car at the first location to a first threshold defining an allowable capacity of the first elevator car; determining that the load on the first elevator car at the first location is within a specified tolerance of the first threshold; causing the first elevator car to ignore additional call requests from the plurality of locations such that the first elevator car does not accept additional load; and A method comprising:

18. the defined difference being a percentage of the first threshold value; 20. The method of claim 17.

19. and further comprising: disabling the first elevator car from accepting additional load while dispatching the first elevator car from the first location to a second location of the plurality of locations until the load on the first elevator car is not within the specified difference of the first threshold.

20. The method of claim 17.

20. prior to disabling the first elevator car from receiving any additional load; comparing the load of the first elevator car at the first location to a second threshold at the first location defining a position occupancy of the first location, the second threshold indicative of one or more passengers remaining at the first location for transportation in the one or more elevator cars after the first elevator car departs from the first location; parking a second elevator car at the first location to receive the one or more occupants remaining at the first location when the load on the first elevator car exceeds the second threshold at the first location; Further including:

20. The method of claim 17.

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