Pre-allocating Elevator Calls via Approach Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems with destination control face delays in response time due to the lack of pre-allocation of elevator calls, which can be initiated only after the passenger has entered their destination floor.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for pre-allocating an elevator call by receiving a signal indicating a passenger's approach at a specific floor, allowing the allocation of an elevator car before the passenger selects their destination, thereby reducing response time by initiating the allocation process in parallel with the passenger's selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the allocation of an elevator call is initiated only after the passenger has entered their destination floor, then the system ensures accurate destination information is available for allocation, but the response time of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidaccuracy of destination information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system initiates the allocation process in advance by detecting when a passenger is approaching the elevator system before they actually enter their destination floor. This preliminary detection and early allocation initiation reduces the overall response time while ensuring that the final allocation is confirmed once the passenger provides their destination information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If the system waits for the passenger to complete destination floor selection before initiating allocation, then allocation accuracy is ensured, but the overall travel time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel timeVSAvoidallocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elevator group controller detects the approaching passenger and initiates the allocation process before the passenger completes their destination floor selection. This preliminary action overlaps the detection and allocation initiation with the passenger's information entry, thereby reducing total travel time while maintaining allocation accuracy through confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous operation by overlapping the passenger detection and allocation initiation phases with the destination floor selection phase. Instead of sequential processing, the system performs detection and allocation preparation concurrently with information entry, eliminating idle time and reducing overall travel time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10336573B2Pre-allocation of an elevator call

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 KONE OYJ

AI summary

A method for allowing pre-allocation of an elevator call in an elevator system with destination control is provided. A first signal is received at an elevator group controller of an elevator system with destination control. The first signal indicates that a passenger including a passenger is detected to be approaching the elevator system at one of multiple floors associated with the elevator system. In response, allocation of an elevator call for the detected passenger is initiated, wherein the one of the multiple floors is assigned as the departure floor for the elevator call.