Elevator Dispatch System Large Item Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional group elevator systems struggle to efficiently transport large items, leading to overcrowding or overloading, as the controller cannot determine if a passenger is accompanied by a large item, resulting in inefficient passenger dispatch and potential re-routing.

Innovation Solution

A destination entry input device allows passengers to indicate the presence of a large item, enabling the dispatch controller to assign them to an elevator with sufficient capacity and limit additional passenger assignments until the large item reaches its destination, preventing overcrowding and overloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the elevator controller assigns passengers to elevators based on destination floor using destination entry system, then passenger transport efficiency is improved, but the controller cannot detect large items causing overcrowding or overloading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger transport efficiencyVSAvoidlarge item detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of large items at the destination entry stage, before elevator assignment is made. The destination entry device queries whether the passenger is transporting a large item, and this information is stored in advance so the controller can make informed assignment decisions that prevent overcrowding and overloading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the controller assigns passengers to elevators without knowing about large items, then assignment speed is maintained, but elevator capacity constraints are violated leading to overcrowding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevator assignment speedVSAvoidelevator capacity compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system collects large item information in advance during destination entry, before the assignment process begins. This preliminary data collection allows the controller to quickly evaluate elevator capacity constraints during assignment without adding significant processing time, while ensuring capacity compliance is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If passengers with large items are assigned to elevators with other passengers, then elevator utilization is improved, but the large item may cause overloading or require re-routing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevator utilizationVSAvoidtransport operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines the appropriate elevator for large items before final passenger assignment. By identifying elevators with sufficient capacity in advance and prioritizing their assignment to large item passengers, the system maximizes elevator utilization while avoiding overloading and complex re-routing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8047334B2Destination entry group elevator system for facilitating transport of large items

Publication Date: 2011.11.01 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

Elevators (104) in a group elevator system (100) are controlled to facilitate transport of a large item (LI). A destination entry input device receives an input from a passenger (102) indicating that the passenger (102) has a large item (LI) to be transported in the group elevator system (100). The passenger (102) with the large item (LI) is assigned to an elevator (104) having capacity to accommodate the passenger (102) and the large item (LI).