Elevator Cross-Dispatching System for Modernization Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
During elevator modernization projects in occupied buildings, the coordination of new and existing elevator control systems is challenging due to incompatibility and the absence of relay logic in early microprocessor-based systems, leading to inefficient dispatching of hall calls and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A cross-dispatching system that monitors and evaluates response times of new and existing elevator groups, assigning hall calls based on predicted response times and reassessing if the assigned group fails to respond within a redispatch time, using inter-group relative system response values to optimize dispatching without requiring specific memory devices or hardware interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If relay logic memory devices are used to store hall calls for cross-cancellation, then existing elevator controllers can respond to hall calls during modernization, but early microprocessor-based systems lack this relay logic capability and cannot perform cross-cancellation
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-dispatching system acts as an intermediary between the new microprocessor-based elevator controllers and the existing relay logic systems. It monitors hall calls and predicts response times from both groups, then makes coordinated dispatching decisions without requiring the existing systems to have memory devices or the new systems to directly interface with relay logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical relay logic memory system with a software-based prediction and coordination system. Instead of using physical relay memory to store hall calls, the system uses computational prediction of response times to achieve coordinated dispatching, making it compatible with early microprocessor systems that lack relay logic infrastructure.
2Productivity
If new elevator controllers are installed during modernization, then elevator service is improved, but coordination with existing controllers becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elevator system into distinct new and existing groups, each with its own controllers. The cross-dispatching system manages coordination between these segments by independently monitoring their response times and making unified dispatching decisions, avoiding the need for complete system integration while maintaining service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the coordination approach from hardware-level integration to parameter-based coordination. Instead of requiring physical integration or complex hardware interfaces, the system uses response time parameters and prediction algorithms to coordinate dispatching between new and existing controllers, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Quantity of substance
If both new and existing elevator groups respond to the same hall calls, then complete coverage is achieved, but service efficiency decreases due to redundant responses
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-dispatching system continuously monitors the response times of both new and existing elevator groups and uses this feedback to make real-time dispatching decisions. By predicting which group will respond faster and adjusting hall call assignment accordingly, the system ensures complete coverage while eliminating redundant responses and optimizing service efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
During elevator modernization, a cross-dispatching system receives hall calls and assigns each hall call to either a group of existing elevator car controllers or a group of new elevator car controllers. The cross-dispatching system creates an inter group relative system response (iRSR) value for the hall call for both the existing group of elevators and the new group of elevators, based upon information from each group such as car location, in-service status, load, and direction. If the group assigned the hall call does not answer the call within a redispatch time period, the cross-dispatching system again calculates the iRSR for each group and reassigns the hall call.