Elevator Call Reassignment for Door Reversal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems experience frequent door reversals during peak hours, leading to passenger frustration due to repeated opening and closing cycles, which existing technologies fail to effectively manage.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that count elevator door reversals, compare them to a threshold, and reassign elevator calls to other cars when the threshold is exceeded, specifically during peak mode, to mitigate door reversal issues by resetting counts upon travel or completion of runs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the elevator door reversal threshold is set low to quickly respond to door reversal issues, then passenger frustration is reduced, but elevator productivity decreases due to more frequent call reassignments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger experienceVSAvoidelevator productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the door reversal threshold parameter based on operational context. During peak hours when productivity is critical, the threshold is set higher to prevent premature reassignments. During non-peak hours when passenger comfort is prioritized, the threshold is lowered to quickly respond to door reversal issues. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for different objectives under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the elevator system reassigns calls frequently to avoid door reversals, then passenger frustration is minimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger experienceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into modular functional components: a door reversal detection module that counts reversals, a threshold comparison module that evaluates the count against configured thresholds, and a call reassignment module that executes reassignments when thresholds are exceeded. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective door reversal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the elevator door reversal threshold is set high to maintain productivity, then elevator productivity is maintained, but passenger frustration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevator productivityVSAvoidpassenger experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door reversal threshold is implemented as a dynamic parameter rather than a fixed value. The threshold adapts based on system state, time of day, and operational mode. During periods when productivity is critical, the threshold remains higher to avoid excessive reassignments. During periods when passenger comfort can be prioritized, the threshold lowers to provide quicker response to door reversal issues, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and passenger experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3878787B1Managing elevator call assignments in response to elevator door reversals

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

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AI summary

A method of processing elevator calls in an elevator system. The method includes counting (214) a number of elevator door reversals at an elevator car; comparing (216) the number of elevator door reversals to an elevator door reversal threshold; upon the number of elevator door reversals exceeding the elevator door reversal threshold, reassigning (218) at least one elevator call for the elevator car to one or more second elevator cars.