Adjustable Elevator Zoning for Dynamic Building Traffic Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator arrangements in high-rise buildings are inflexible, leading to suboptimal usage and inefficient space utilization, as initial design decisions may not align with changing user needs, and the need for frequent adjustments to accommodate changing traffic patterns and floor connections.
Innovation Solution
A flexible elevator arrangement with zoned elevators that have adjustable top and bottom limits of movement, allowing for reconfiguration by detachable support structures, enabling quick adaptation to changing needs without extensive modifications, and incorporating a lobby elevator with distinct movement ranges for efficient feeder traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elevator arrangement is designed with fixed ranges of movement during construction phase, then the initial layout can be implemented, but the arrangement becomes inflexible when user needs change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the elevator car range of movement adjustable rather than fixed. The support structures (3,4) that determine the top and bottom limits can be repositioned vertically along the hoistway, allowing the elevator system to adapt dynamically to changing user needs and traffic patterns without requiring complete system replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the elevator system into modular components: the elevator car (Cz), detachable support structures (3,4) that define movement limits, and mounting structures (GR) along the hoistway. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of range limits by detaching and repositioning support structures without affecting the entire elevator system
2Area of stationary object
If zoned elevators are positioned with large distances between top limit of lower elevator and bottom limit of upper elevator, then safety and maintenance space is provided, but space utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustability of support structures allows the vertical spacing between consecutive zoned elevators to be optimized. The support structures can be positioned to minimize gaps while maintaining safety margins, enabling continuous optimization of space utilization as building needs evolve
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of vertical spacing between elevators from a fixed design value to an adjustable parameter. By modifying the position of support structures (3,4) along the hoistway, the distance between the top limit of lower elevators and bottom limit of upper elevators can be continuously adjusted to optimize space utilization while maintaining safety requirements
3Productivity
If elevator support structures are fixed permanently during installation, then installation is straightforward, but reconfiguration requires extensive modifications and long downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable support structures (3,4) create modular segments that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation enables rapid reconfiguration by simply detaching and repositioning individual support structures rather than modifying the entire elevator system, significantly reducing reconfiguration time and downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structures (GR) are pre-installed at multiple positions along the hoistway during initial construction. This preliminary action enables future reconfiguration by allowing support structures to be quickly detached and repositioned to pre-prepared mounting locations without requiring extensive on-site modifications
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator arrangement includes a plurality of elevators in a building, which plurality includes a plurality of zoned elevators moving in an elevator hoistway, which have different ranges of movement of the elevator car in the building to each other, and which zoned elevators each have a top limit and a bottom limit of the range of movement of the elevator car, to above the top limit and to below the bottom limit of which range of movement travel of the elevator car of the zoned elevator in question is prevented. The vertical location, in relation to the building, of the top limit and/or bottom limit of the range of movement of the elevator car of each aforementioned zoned elevator can be changed. The arrangement also comprises a lobby elevator, the range of movement of the elevator car of which differs from the ranges of movement of the elevator cars of the aforementioned zoned elevators, and the stopping floors of the lobby elevator comprise a plurality of lobby floors, each of which is a stopping floor of one or more zoned elevators belonging to the aforementioned zoned elevator plurality. A method is provided for re-adjusting the elevator arrangement, wherein the range of movement of the elevator car of the zoned elevator in question is changed to reach to a different height in the elevator hoistway by changing the vertical location in relation to the building of the top limit and/or the bottom limit of the range of movement of the elevator car of the zoned elevator in question.