Elevator Car Communication for Distributed Multicar Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional centralized elevator controllers face significant signaling challenges and increased computing power demands in multicar elevator systems, necessitating improved communication solutions for enhanced safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing wireless communication between elevator cars using 5G technology to exchange status information, allowing each car to adjust its operation based on the status of other cars, and enabling conflict resolution and optimized travel times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized elevator controller is used to manage multiple elevator cars in a multicar system, then the system can be controlled from a single point, but the signaling amount increases enormously and computing power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control function into distributed control among elevator cars. Each elevator car independently determines its own movement and conflict resolution, segmenting the control signaling from a single centralized source into multiple localized decisions, thereby reducing the overall signaling burden on the central controller.
Solution Approach 2:
Elevator cars are enabled to autonomously determine their own movement and resolve conflicts with other cars without requiring constant centralized instructions. The system allows self-service control where each car uses its own sensors and communication capabilities to make real-time decisions, reducing the computing power and signaling requirements of the central controller.
2Ease of operation
If a centralized elevator controller manages multiple elevator cars, then control coordination is simplified, but the computing power requirement in the controller becomes extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The control computing function is segmented and distributed across multiple elevator cars rather than concentrated in a single central controller. Each car performs local computation to determine its movement and resolve conflicts, distributing the overall computing load and preventing any single controller from requiring excessive computing power.
Solution Approach 2:
Each elevator car is equipped with autonomous decision-making capabilities that allow it to independently compute its movement path and conflict resolution without relying on high-power centralized processing. This self-service approach distributes computational requirements across multiple lower-power units rather than one high-power unit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional communication protocols are used in multicar elevator systems, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but the communication efficiency and safety are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional wired communication mechanisms with wireless communication technology in the elevator system. This substitution enables more efficient data transmission between elevator cars and the central controller, improving communication efficiency and safety while maintaining compatibility through standardized wireless protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars, an elevator controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of elevator cars. The elevator controller is configured to generate a signal to a first elevator car for indicating an elevator call to the first elevator car. The first elevator car is configured to, in response to a receipt of the signal, initiate a communication with at least one second elevator car for receiving information relating to a status of the at least one second elevator car, and in response to a receipt of the information, generate a control signal with respect to serving the elevator call received by the first elevator car. A method for controlling an elevator car in the elevator system is also disclosed.