Dynamic Energy Settings for Elevator Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current elevator and escalator systems lack efficient energy management solutions that adapt to specific user needs, floor conditions, and traffic levels, leading to suboptimal energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that receives trip information from passengers and selects energy settings based on start and destination floors, user identity, and time-based or conflict rules to optimize energy usage in elevator and escalator systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single energy setting is used for all elevator trips, then the system operation is simple, but energy consumption is not optimized for different trip conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic energy settings that automatically adjust based on trip conditions such as floor distance, time of day, and traffic patterns. The control system selects from multiple energy settings (e.g., energy-efficient mode, balanced mode, performance mode) depending on the specific trip parameters, transforming the static single-setting system into a dynamic multi-setting system that optimizes energy consumption for each trip while maintaining operational simplicity for users.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple energy settings are implemented based on trip conditions, then energy efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple energy settings with defined characteristics (energy-efficient, balanced, performance modes) and pre-programmes the control logic to select appropriate settings based on trip conditions. This preliminary configuration allows the complex multi-setting system to operate smoothly without requiring real-time complex calculations, as the decision-making framework is prepared in advance based on factors like floor distance, time schedules, and expected traffic levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (speed, acceleration, door operation timing, lighting) according to different energy settings. By adjusting these parameters based on trip conditions such as distance traveled and time of day, the system achieves improved energy efficiency without requiring fundamentally new hardware, merely reconfiguring existing operational parameters through software control.
3Use of energy by moving object
If energy settings are customized for individual users or floors, then user-specific energy optimization is achieved, but system adaptability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different energy settings to different floors, user groups, or time periods, creating localized optimization strategies. For example, certain floors may have energy-efficient settings during off-peak hours, while VIP users may have different default settings, and specific time periods may have customized energy profiles. This local quality approach allows user-specific and floor-specific optimization without requiring complete system redesign for each scenario.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Energy efficiency settings for an elevator installation (110) can be determined based on, for example, a start floor for a trip, a destination floor for a trip, user identity information and/or a condition associated with one or more users. In at least some cases, portions of a building (100) (e.g., one or more floors (160, 162, 164, 166, 68) are associated with one or more energy settings. In further cases, an occupant of a building (100) is associated with one or more elevator energy settings. Some embodiments can be used with an escalator installation (400).