Elevator Control Device Dynamic Weight Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator control systems face increased waiting times for both users and robots when they share the same elevator, as the systems are configured to operate in modes that prioritize either users or robots exclusively.
Innovation Solution
An elevator control device that dynamically adjusts the set maximum weight of the elevator cage by switching between standard and limited getting on and off controls based on the presence of a robot, ensuring the loaded weight does not exceed the rated weight, thereby allowing both users and robots to use the elevator efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the elevator operates in user-dedicated mode with maximum weight set to rated weight, then users can board without restriction, but robots experience increased waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches the elevator's operation mode between user-dedicated mode and robot-dedicated mode based on real-time detection of robot presence. When a robot is detected waiting, the system transitions from user-dedicated mode (rated weight) to robot-dedicated mode (limit maximum weight), thereby reducing robot waiting time while maintaining user convenience when no robot is present
2Productivity
If the elevator switches to robot-dedicated mode immediately, then robots can board efficiently, but users currently being conveyed experience interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of robot presence before the elevator arrives at the robot's floor. When a robot is detected waiting, the controller pre-sets the limit maximum weight before the elevator stops, ensuring smooth robot boarding without interrupting ongoing user conveyance. The mode switch is executed at the appropriate moment rather than immediately, maintaining user conveyance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the elevator to complete the current user conveyance cycle without interruption, then quickly switches to robot-dedicated mode for the next cycle. This skipping approach ensures user conveyance continuity while achieving efficient robot service in subsequent operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If the set maximum weight is reduced to accommodate robots, then robots can board the elevator, but the number of users who can board is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elevator operation into distinct modes: user-dedicated mode with rated weight capacity and robot-dedicated mode with limit maximum weight capacity. By separating these operations temporally through mode switching, the system accommodates robots when needed while maintaining full user capacity during user-only periods, thus adapting to different requirements without permanently restricting user quantity
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator control device controls an elevator including a cage that a person and a robot get on, and the elevator control device includes: a storage that stores a rated weight of the cage; and a controller that sets a set maximum weight that is set during operation of the elevator as a maximum value of a weight loaded on the cage, wherein when the controller determines that the robot is waiting to get on the cage while the set maximum weight is set at the rated weight, the controller sets, as the set maximum weight, a limit maximum weight that is a weight less than or equal to a value obtained by subtracting a weight of the robot from the rated weight.