Elevator Lobby Assignment Control for Mixed-Use Building Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems in buildings often fail to adapt to changes in building use over time, leading to inefficiencies and the need for on-site technician intervention.

Innovation Solution

A building management system and elevator system integration that allows for dynamic assignment of elevators to elevator halls based on updated building information, enabling the elevator system to adjust its operation to changes in building use without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the elevator system remains unchanged after building use changes, then the original elevator configuration is maintained, but the elevator system cannot adapt to new building requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to building use changesVSAvoidelevator system configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elevator system implements dynamic configuration through software-based elevator hall assignments that can be modified without physical changes. The group controller dynamically adjusts elevator assignments to different halls based on building management system information, allowing the system to adapt to changing building uses while maintaining the same physical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (elevator hall assignments, service patterns) rather than physical parameters. By modifying the building information in the storage unit and reconfiguring elevator assignments through software, the system adapts to new building requirements without altering the physical elevator infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If on-site technicians are used to adapt the elevator system to changes, then the elevator system can be reconfigured, but technician intervention increases complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidease of reconfiguration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elevator system performs self-reconfiguration through automated communication with the building management system. When building information changes are transmitted to the group controller, the system automatically updates its configuration and elevator assignments without requiring manual technician intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in adaptation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop between the building management system and the elevator group controller. The building management system transmits updated building information to the elevator system, which then automatically adjusts its operation based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop adaptation mechanism that eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the elevator system is redesigned for new building use, then it fully meets new requirements, but the cost and time of system replacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeeting building requirementsVSAvoidsystem adaptation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for future building use changes by maintaining the capability to receive and process updated building information from the building management system. The group controller is pre-configured to accept building information changes and automatically adjust elevator assignments, allowing the system to rapidly adapt when building requirements change without requiring time-consuming redesign or replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4490089B1Building system with elevator installation for a mixed use building
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 INVENTIO AG
  • EP4490089B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4490089B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4490089B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a lift system (1) comprising a lift group with multiple lifts (E1-E6) and a group controller (12), which is designed to receive building information from a building management system (30). For a determined floor (L0) and for each lift (E1-E6), the received building information provides an assignment of each lift (E1-E6) to at least one lift lobby (H, H1-H9) from which the assigned lift (E1-E6) can be accessed on the determined floor (L0). Building information stored in a memory device (26) of the lift system (1) is updated by the received building information, wherein, for the determined floor (L0) and for each lift (E1-E6), the stored building information indicates an existing assignment of the respective lift (E1-E6) to at least one lift lobby (H, H1-H9). Upon receipt of a lift call, the lift system (1) is operated according to the updated building information. (Fig. 3)