Dynamic Elevator Car Parking Using Occupant Counts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems often park inactive cars at the location of their last use, leading to increased travel distances and wait times due to mismatched occupant distribution, as cars are not positioned where they are most needed based on actual occupant counts.
Innovation Solution
A dispatch system that includes counter devices in each elevator car to track occupant counts, a motion controller to monitor car movements, and a dispatch controller to reposition idle cars to locations with the highest occupant counts, minimizing travel distances by directing cars to areas with greater demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If elevator cars are parked at the location of last use, then the system is simple to implement, but the travel distance and wait time increase due to mismatched occupant distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively repositioning inactive elevator cars to locations with higher occupant counts before call requests are received. The dispatch controller continuously monitors occupant counts and preemptively moves cars to optimal parking locations, reducing the need for long travel distances when actual call requests occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where counter devices continuously report occupant counts to the dispatch controller, which then uses this information to dynamically adjust parking locations. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to respond to changing occupancy patterns and optimize car positioning in real-time.
2Device complexity
If elevator cars are parked at the location of last use, then the control system is simple, but the traffic flow efficiency decreases due to greater travel distances
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static parking (fixed at last use location) to dynamic parking where elevator cars are continuously repositioned based on real-time occupant count data. The dispatch controller actively manages car locations, adjusting them to match current demand patterns and optimize traffic flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parking location parameter from a fixed value (last use location) to a dynamic value determined by current occupant counts. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to varying occupancy patterns and improve traffic flow efficiency by positioning cars where they are most needed.
3Loss of information
If elevator cars are positioned based on last use location, then the system requires minimal data processing, but the wait times increase due to greater travel distances
Solution Approach 1:
Counter devices automatically track and report occupant counts without requiring manual intervention, and the dispatch controller autonomously uses this data to make parking decisions. The system serves itself by automatically processing occupancy information and executing repositioning actions without human involvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from counter devices that continuously monitor and report occupant counts. This real-time information flow enables the dispatch controller to make informed decisions about car positioning, reducing wait times by ensuring cars are located where they are most needed when call requests occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for positioning a plurality of elevator cars that includes determining an occupant count for each of a plurality of locations, by determining the number of occupants exiting the plurality of elevator cars at each of the plurality of locations and the number of occupants entering the plurality of elevator cars from each of the plurality of locations. The method includes moving at least one of the plurality of elevator cars to a first location with a total occupant count that is greater than the occupant count at each respective location of the plurality of locations when the at least one of the plurality of elevator cars is in an inactive state.