Adaptive Elevator Control for Mixed-Use Buildings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems are not adaptable to changes in building use, such as a shift from office space to residential space, leading to inefficiencies in servicing elevator calls.
Innovation Solution
The elevator system is equipped with a method to recognize and differentiate user groups based on the called floor and destination floor, allowing the elevator controller to adjust operating modes, including speed and priority, to optimize service for specific user groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elevator system operates with fixed parameters designed for original building use, then the system structure remains simple and reliable, but the system cannot adapt to changed building use (e.g., from office to residential)
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator control system dynamically adjusts operating parameters (speed, priority, service patterns) based on detected building use characteristics and user group identification, transforming a static system into an adaptive one that responds to changing conditions without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as elevator speed, priority levels, and service patterns based on the identified building use type and user group, allowing the same physical system to optimize performance for different scenarios (office, residential, mixed-use) without hardware modification
2Productivity
If the elevator system services all calls with equal priority and speed, then the system operation is simple, but the system efficiency and user satisfaction decrease when different user groups have different needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments user calls into different categories based on user group identification (residential, commercial, mixed-use) and applies different service patterns to each segment, allowing optimized handling for each group while maintaining a unified control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of service (speed, priority, response time) are applied to different user groups and floor zones based on local needs, with residential floors receiving different service characteristics than commercial floors, optimizing overall system efficiency for the specific building configuration
3Loss of information
If the elevator system uses user identification methods like transponders, then user group differentiation is possible, but the system requires additional hardware and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines user group classification based on call origin and destination floor information that is already available in the control system, eliminating the need for additional identification hardware while maintaining accurate user group differentiation through intelligent analysis of existing operational data
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system for a building comprises an elevator controller and an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft. At least one first floor or first floor area for a first user group and at least one second floor or second floor area for a second user group are defined in the building. A memory device saves this definition and an operating mode assigned thereto for each user group. During operation, a first elevator call is received and analyzed by the elevator controller to determine a first call input floor and/or a first destination floor. An operating mode is ascertained based on the first call input floor and/or the first destination floor. According to this operating mode, the elevator car is controlled by the elevator controller.