Elevator Group Management System Dynamic Weight Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current elevator group management systems face challenges in accurately forecasting elevator positions and allocating calls due to the lack of consideration for future hall calls and positional relationships between elevators, leading to inefficient waiting times and performance evaluations.

Innovation Solution

The system creates a forecasted trajectory for each elevator's movement over a predetermined period, calculates evaluation values by weighting waiting time and positional relationships, and allocates calls based on a continuously changing weighting function to optimize elevator allocation and maintain even intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If allocation control is based on forecasted waiting time only, then the waiting time for currently generated hall calls is optimized, but the influence of future hall calls is not sufficiently considered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaiting time for current hall callsVSAvoidconsideration of future hall calls
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary forecasting of future hall calls and their impact on elevator allocation. By predicting future call patterns and pre-calculating their influence on waiting times, the system prepares allocation decisions that consider both current and future demands, rather than reacting only to present conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation function dynamically adjusts between optimizing for current hall calls and anticipating future hall calls based on real-time conditions. The system transitions from static forecasted waiting time calculations to dynamic evaluation that adapts to changing traffic patterns and future call predictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If cage allocation is based on forecasted waiting time index, then allocation decisions are made efficiently, but the positional relationship among cages is not taken into consideration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation decision efficiencyVSAvoidpositional relationship consideration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges two previously separate evaluation aspects: forecasted waiting time and positional relationships among cages. By combining these into a unified evaluation function, the system simultaneously considers both the time efficiency of allocation and the spatial distribution of cages, leading to more comprehensive allocation decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation function incorporates additional parameters beyond forecasted waiting time, specifically including positional relationships and intervals among cages. This expansion of evaluation parameters allows the system to optimize allocation based on both temporal and spatial factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If conventional control schemes dispose cages at equal time intervals, then long waiting times are restrained, but the system lacks accuracy in forecasting elevator positions and cannot immediately adjust to changing traffic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong waiting timesVSAvoidforecast accuracy of elevator positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor actual elevator positions and compare them with forecasted positions. Based on this feedback, the system identifies forecast errors and adjusts future predictions accordingly, improving forecast accuracy over time while maintaining the equal time interval disposition strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static equal time interval disposition to a dynamic approach where the evaluation function can immediately adjust to changing traffic conditions. By incorporating real-time traffic flow information and forecast errors into the evaluation, the system maintains equal time interval benefits while adapting to varying demand patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If weights in evaluation function are fixed, then system operation is simple, but the system cannot immediately adjust to changing traffic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidresponse to changing traffic conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes from fixed weights to dynamically adjustable weights in the evaluation function. The weights are immediately adjustable based on real-time traffic conditions, allowing the system to emphasize different evaluation criteria (such as waiting time versus positional relationships) according to current operational demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation function parameters, specifically the weights, are made variable rather than fixed. This allows the system to adjust the relative importance of different evaluation factors in response to changing traffic conditions, maintaining operational simplicity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1767484B1Elevator group management system and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2010.11.03 HITACHI LTD
  • EP1767484B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP1767484B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1767484B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system is provided for supporting a reduction in average waiting time of an elevator group management system, and an evaluation on group management control performance. A forecasted trajectory of each elevator within a predetermined time from a current time point is found and displayed. Also, an evaluation value is calculated for a forecasted interval with respect to a target interval between respective elevators in a predetermined time from the evaluation value, and an elevator is allocated to a generated hall call based on the evaluation value such that the forecasted interval comes closer to the target interval. By displaying the forecasted trajectory of each elevator, it is possible to support the evaluation on the performance of the group management system through clarification of the reason for allocation. Also, the control performance of the group management system is improved, including a reduction in average waiting time, through allocation control close to an ideal one.