Elevator Control System Using Capacitive Passenger Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems in high-capacity buildings or vessels face challenges in efficiently managing large crowds, leading to uneven capacity utilization, congestion, and inefficient energy use, as existing solutions struggle to accurately predict passenger movements and direct passengers effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of capacitive sensors in elevator lobbies to monitor passenger numbers and direction, combined with a dynamic light-guidance system to optimize elevator allocation and energy usage, ensuring even distribution of passengers and reducing travel times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If passengers are directed to use multiple elevator groups, then capacity utilization is improved, but congestion occurs when passengers collect at one elevator group
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors passenger waiting times and elevator status, using this feedback to dynamically adjust direction instructions. When one elevator group becomes congested or waiting time exceeds a threshold, the system redirects subsequent passengers to alternative elevator groups, preventing congestion and balancing load distribution across multiple elevators
Solution Approach 2:
The direction system dynamically changes its behavior based on real-time conditions. Instead of fixed routing, the system adapts instructions to current passenger flow, elevator availability, and waiting times, allowing flexible redistribution of passengers across elevator groups to optimize capacity utilization while preventing congestion
2Ease of operation
If elevators stop at every floor with calls, then passenger service is improved, but energy consumption increases due to unnecessary stopping and starting
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of passenger calls and elevator trajectories before execution. By predicting which floors will have passengers waiting and calculating optimal stopping sequences in advance, the system minimizes unnecessary stops while ensuring all required floors are serviced, thereby reducing energy consumption related to frequent starting and stopping
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts elevator operation parameters such as stopping frequency, speed profiles, and acceleration rates based on real-time conditions. When passenger demand is low or calls are clustered, the system modifies operational parameters to reduce the number of stops and optimize energy usage while maintaining adequate service levels
3Measurement precision
If sensor systems are installed to monitor passengers, then passenger counting accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors as intermediary detection devices that indirectly measure passenger presence through capacitive changes in the waiting area. This intermediary approach provides accurate passenger counting without requiring direct physical interaction or complex identification systems, maintaining measurement precision while limiting complexity growth
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces congestion and travel times, maximizes elevator capacity, and optimizes energy consumption by directing passengers to the best route and elevator, improving passenger satisfaction and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
sensor means, which are fitted to give information about the presence and number of passengers waiting for an elevator
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
System for controlling the elevators in an elevator system, which elevator system comprises a number of elevators (1A...1 H). The system comprises first sensor means (2, 2A...2H), which are arranged in the waiting area of each elevator (1A...1 H) on each floor (F, F1, F2, F3... Fn), which sensor means (2, 2A...2H) are fitted to give information about the presence and number of passengers waiting for an elevator at least in the waiting area in question; means for controlling the elevators, which means are fitted to receive information from the sensor means (2, 2A...2H) about the presence and number of passengers waiting for an elevator and to control the movement of the elevators of the elevator system utilizing the information received from the sensor means.