Elevator Congestion Control for Heterogeneous Agents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems struggle to maintain carrying capacity and service performance when faced with an increased number of heterogeneous agents such as wheelchairs, personal mobility devices, and service robots, as these agents take longer and occupy more space than people.

Innovation Solution

A mobile body introduction assistance system that includes a congestion degree calculation unit to acquire and analyze congestion information, and a heterogeneous agent operation number calculation unit to determine the optimal number of heterogeneous agents to operate based on the calculated congestion degree, thereby optimizing elevator carrying capacity and service performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of heterogeneous agents increases, then the diversity and functionality of the building is improved, but the carrying capacity of the elevator deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediversity and functionalityVSAvoidcarrying capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of heterogeneous agents allowed to operate based on real-time congestion degree calculations. The heterogeneous agent operation number calculation unit determines the optimal number of agents to operate by acquiring congestion degree information and comparing it against threshold values, thereby adapting the system capacity to current demand conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of the number of heterogeneous agents based on congestion conditions. By using the congestion degree calculation unit to monitor building congestion levels and the heterogeneous agent operation number calculation unit to determine operational limits, the system adjusts agent operation numbers to maintain appropriate congestion levels while preserving elevator carrying capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If heterogeneous agents are made to stand by in a standby area, then the congestion in the service providing area is reduced, but the service performance of the robot deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecongestionVSAvoidservice performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the congestion degree calculation unit continuously monitors building congestion levels and feeds this information to the heterogeneous agent operation number calculation unit. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of the number of active agents based on real-time congestion conditions, preventing both excessive congestion and unnecessary standby periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of statically assigning agents to standby areas, the system dynamically determines the number of agents to operate based on real-time congestion degree information. This dynamic approach allows agents to transition between active and standby states based on actual building conditions, optimizing both congestion management and service performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4550228A1Mobile body introduction assistance system, and mobile body introduction assistance method
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 HITACHI LTD
  • EP4550228A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4550228A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4550228A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This mobile body introduction assistance system includes: a congestion degree calculation unit; and a heterogeneous agent operation number calculation unit. The congestion degree calculation unit acquires information about a degree of congestion of people and a heterogeneous agent that are moving within a building, the heterogeneous agent being a mobile body different from the people. The heterogeneous agent operation number calculation unit determines the number of heterogeneous agents to operate on the basis of the congestion degree information acquired by the congestion degree calculation unit.