Elevator Control Mode for Passenger Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems do not effectively maintain social distance between passengers, particularly in situations such as epidemics or in hospitals where stricter contact measures are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for operating elevators that include a special operating mode which reduces the capacity limit of elevator cars, issues alerts when the limit is exceeded, and strategically allocates empty elevator cars to landings to distribute passengers and maintain distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the elevator car capacity is increased to maximize passenger throughput, then productivity is improved, but the ability to maintain social distance between passengers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system dynamically adjusts its operating mode between nominal and special modes based on detected conditions. In special mode, the system modifies capacity limits and passenger distribution strategies to maintain social distance, while in nominal mode it optimizes for throughput. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to changing requirements without sacrificing overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operating parameters when switching to special mode: the capacity limit parameter is reduced from the nominal value to a special value that ensures social distance, and the passenger distribution parameter is modified to spread passengers across multiple cars. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain health safety standards while continuing to operate.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the capacity limit is reduced to maintain social distance, then health safety is improved, but the number of passengers that can be transported deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the passenger transport task across multiple elevator cars when operating in special mode. Instead of concentrating passengers in fewer cars with reduced capacity, the system distributes them across several cars, each operating at or below the special capacity limit. This segmentation approach maintains social distance within each car while collectively transporting the required number of passengers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning empty elevator cars at landings where passengers need to be transported. This allows for efficient distribution of passengers across multiple cars before they board, ensuring that social distance requirements are met from the outset rather than requiring mid-transport interventions that would reduce productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple elevator cars are deployed to distribute passengers, then social distance is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to monitor the state of multiple elevator cars and dynamically adjust their assignment and positioning. The control system receives information about car positions, occupancy, and landing calls, then uses this feedback to optimize the distribution strategy. This closed-loop control manages the complexity of coordinating multiple cars while ensuring social distance requirements are met.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating an elevator system (100), wherein the elevator system (100) comprises an elevator car (10; 10A-10C)movable between landings (19) in response to an elevator call registered by an elevator control unit (110). The method comprises determining a special operating mode of the elevator system (100), the special operating mode being different from a nominal operating mode at least with respect to a characteristic of use of the elevator car (10; 10A-10C), and operating, in the special operating mode, the elevator system (100) so as to reduce a number of passengers entering the elevator car (10; 10A-10C) from the landing (19) compared to the nominal operating mode based on the characteristic.