Elevator Emergency Control System for Non-Fire Crisis Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator systems lack defined emergency procedures for non-fire emergent events, leaving occupants vulnerable during crises such as breaches of Homeland Security, and do not have standardized protocols for responding to various emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
An elevator emergency control system that includes a control station capable of determining emergency conditions and transmitting alert signals to direct elevators into an emergency mode, where they travel vertically downward and prioritize egress floors until capacity is reached, with emergency key switches for activation and deactivation, and visible and audible warnings for occupants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional elevator systems operate without defined emergency procedures for non-fire events, then system simplicity is maintained, but occupant safety and reliability deteriorate during crises
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes emergency procedures and modes before actual emergencies occur. The control system includes pre-programmed logic that automatically activates specific emergency modes (fire emergency mode, earthquake response mode, non-fire emergency mode) when triggered by sensors or manual activation, ensuring immediate and reliable occupant safety without requiring complex real-time decision-making during crises
Solution Approach 2:
A central control system acts as an intermediary between emergency detection mechanisms and elevator operation. This control system receives signals from various sources (fire detection systems, earthquake sensors, manual key switches) and coordinates appropriate elevator responses, thereby managing complexity centrally while maintaining simple, reliable execution of safety procedures
2Reliability
If elevators automatically enter emergency mode upon detecting emergency conditions, then response speed and reliability improve, but system complexity and potential interference with normal operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency response system is segmented into distinct, independent modes (fire emergency mode, earthquake response mode, non-fire emergency mode). Each mode has specific, predefined behaviors that do not interfere with others. This segmentation allows the system to respond reliably to different emergency types while keeping each individual mode's logic simple and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the detected emergency type and severity. The control system can transition between normal operation and various emergency modes, and between different emergency modes, based on real-time conditions. This dynamic capability ensures reliable emergency response while maintaining system flexibility and avoiding unnecessary complexity in any single operational state
3Productivity
If elevators prioritize downward travel to egress floors during emergency mode, then evacuation efficiency improves, but normal operational flexibility and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system dynamically switches between normal operational mode and emergency evacuation mode based on system state. During normal operation, elevators maintain full operational flexibility for passenger transport. When emergency conditions are detected and emergency mode is activated, the system automatically transitions to prioritizing downward travel to egress floors, thereby achieving high evacuation efficiency without permanently sacrificing normal operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining normal elevator operations during peacetime while ensuring rapid transition to emergency evacuation mode when needed. The control system continuously monitors emergency conditions and can immediately switch operational priorities, ensuring that evacuation efficiency is achieved without interrupting normal productivity during non-emergency periods
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple emergency modes are implemented for different crisis types, then adaptability and reliability improve, but system complexity and difficulty of detection and measurement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency response system is divided into distinct, independently manageable modes corresponding to different emergency types (fire, earthquake, non-fire). Each mode has specific detection criteria and response protocols, making it easier to detect and measure appropriate responses for each emergency type while maintaining overall system adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
A central control system serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of detecting and responding to different emergency types. This control system receives inputs from various detection mechanisms, identifies the appropriate emergency mode, and coordinates the corresponding elevator responses, thereby simplifying the detection and measurement process while maintaining high adaptability to different crisis situations
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes elevator emergency control systems and methods for use in an elevator. The elevator emergency control system may include a control station disposed external to multiple buildings. The control station may be configured to: determine that an emergency condition exists for the multiple buildings; in response to determining that the emergency condition exists for the multiple buildings, transmit a first emergency alert signal that directs a first group of elevators located in at least two buildings of the multiple building to enter an emergency mode, and the emergency mode results in the first group of elevators: traveling vertically downward with respect to a first group of structures; and answering down hall calls until the first group of elevators reaches an elevator weight capacity, an egress floor, or a combination thereof.