Elevator Car Load Limit Adjustment for Crowd Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator crowding issues arise due to varying occupancy levels, leading to inconvenience and potential health concerns, as passengers often exceed the maximum loading capacity to reach destinations faster, despite social distancing guidelines.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes sensors to monitor elevator car load status, triggering alerts and adjusting dispatch schedules to manage crowd reduction by limiting passenger capacity, either locally or remotely, and initiating actions such as dispatching additional elevators or closing doors when load limits are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the elevator car operates at maximum loading capacity, then productivity is improved, but passenger safety and social distancing are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the elevator car load limit adjustable rather than fixed. The control system dynamically modifies the load limit based on received indicators (such as crowd reduction requests or health concerns), allowing the system to adapt between maximum capacity operation and reduced capacity operation to balance productivity and safety requirements
2Reliability
If the elevator car load limit is reduced to ensure social distancing, then passenger safety is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the load limit parameter of the elevator car based on external indicators. The control system receives indicators that trigger changes in the load limit parameter, allowing the system to reduce capacity when safety concerns arise while maintaining the ability to operate at full capacity when conditions permit
3Reliability
If sensors and control systems are added to manage crowd reduction, then passenger safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a control system that acts as a mediator between the elevator car operation and external indicators. The control system receives indicators (which could be simple signals from sensors or remote sources) and translates them into load limit adjustments, providing a buffer that manages complexity while achieving safety goals
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (200) includes an elevator system (101) including an elevator car. The system also includes a control system configured to receive a crowd reduction indicator, determine an elevator car load reduction for the elevator car based on the crowd reduction indicator, adjust an elevator car load limit based on the elevator car load reduction, and trigger a mitigation action in the elevator system (101) based on detecting a condition that exceeds the elevator car load limit.