Anticipatory Elevator Control Using Building Hints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elevator systems are unable to accurately anticipate and adapt to rapid changes in passenger traffic, leading to inefficiencies in transport capacity, increased waiting times, and congestion, as they rely on long-time traffic statistics that are inaccurate in predicting future passenger flows.
Innovation Solution
The system receives hints from various observation points within the building, such as automatic doors or public transportation systems, to forecast potential passenger traffic, allowing for anticipatory control actions like guiding passengers to less congested elevators and activating congestion modes before actual calls are made, thereby optimizing elevator allocation and reducing wait times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long-time traffic statistics are used to forecast passenger traffic, then the elevator system can make control decisions based on historical data, but the forecast accuracy deteriorates when unexpected and fast changes in passenger traffic occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending anticipatory commands to elevators based on detected passenger gathering, positioning elevators at strategic floors before actual calls are made, thereby preparing the system in advance for expected traffic demands
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors passenger traffic patterns and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust elevator positioning and allocation, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to real-time changes in passenger flow
2Productivity
If elevators are positioned at floors based on statistical forecasts, then transport capacity can be optimized for predicted traffic, but waiting times increase when actual traffic deviates from predictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically repositions elevators based on real-time detection of passenger gathering rather than following fixed statistical patterns, allowing continuous adaptation of elevator locations to match actual passenger flow demands and minimize waiting times
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously detects passenger gathering patterns and self-adjusts elevator allocation without external intervention, enabling the elevator group control system to serve itself by making real-time decisions based on observed traffic conditions
3Ease of operation
If traditional call-based control is used, then elevators respond to actual passenger demands, but congestion increases in elevator lobbies during peak traffic periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of elevators at floors where passenger gathering is detected, so that when passengers actually arrive and make calls, elevators are already nearby and ready to serve, preventing lobby congestion by distributing elevator arrivals across multiple floors
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by positioning elevators in advance at strategic locations to counteract expected congestion, thereby preventing the harmful effect of lobby overcrowding before it occurs
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for controlling an elevator system, hints relating to potential elevator passengers are received from at least one observation point connected to the elevator system. Based on the hints, forecasts relating to potential elevator passengers are prepared, on the basis of which forecasts one or more anticipatory control actions are executed.