Conveyor Control for Emergency Evacuation Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
During emergencies in buildings, such as fires, existing conveyor systems like escalators and elevators often stop functioning, hindering efficient evacuation, and there is a need for a controlled method to manage these systems to facilitate safe and rapid exit.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling conveyor devices, such as escalators, to continue moving in the direction of escape and stop moving towards the emergency area, based on distance thresholds and emergency signals, while communicating operational status to ensure safe evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conveyor devices stop running during emergency, then safety is improved, but evacuation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the control status of different conveyor devices based on their location relative to the emergency. Conveyor devices on the same floor as the emergency or moving toward the emergency floor are stopped, while those on other floors continuing to move in the escape direction remain operational. This localized differentiation allows the system to maintain safety near the emergency while preserving evacuation efficiency in safe zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the conveyor system into multiple controllable units (individual conveyor devices or groups on specific floors) rather than controlling the entire system uniformly. This segmentation enables selective operation where evacuation efficiency is maintained in safe areas while safety is prioritized near the emergency location.
2Reliability
If all conveyor devices stop during emergency, then safety is improved, but evacuation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control where conveyor devices are selectively stopped or continued based on their spatial relationship with the emergency. Devices in safe zones continue operating to maintain evacuation flow, while only devices near the emergency floor stop, thereby minimizing time loss while maintaining safety.
3Productivity
If conveyor devices are controlled selectively, then evacuation efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the control system continuously monitors emergency location information and adjusts conveyor device operation accordingly. The system receives feedback about the emergency status and automatically determines which conveyor devices should stop and which should continue, reducing the need for manual intervention and simplifying the control process despite the selective nature of the control strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing control rules and thresholds before the emergency occurs. The system is configured with criteria for determining which conveyor devices should stop or continue based on their location relative to the emergency floor, enabling automatic response without complex real-time decision-making during the emergency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling conveyor devices. The method includes in response to an emergency signal, controlling a conveyor device among conveyor devices associated with a location of an emergency that moves in the same direction as an escape direction to continue moving; and stopping a conveyor device among the conveyor devices associated with the location of the emergency that moves towards a floor where the emergency occurs from moving towards the floor; and in which the conveyor devices associated with the location of the emergency includes a conveyor device with either its conveying entrance or its conveying exit located on the floor where the emergency occurs.