Elevator Load Settings with Real-Time Occupancy Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems often preset a load capacity that leads to inefficiencies in traffic flow and increased wait times due to passengers avoiding cars with loads below the capacity, resulting in underutilized cars and inefficient dispatching.
Innovation Solution
A dispatch system dynamically adjusts elevator load settings based on real-time load measurements, allowing cars with current loads below the preset capacity to accept passengers, and strategically positions inactive cars to optimize load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a preset load capacity setting is used for elevator cars, then the load capacity is clearly defined and safety is ensured, but traffic flow efficiency decreases and wait times increase due to passengers avoiding cars with loads below capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static preset load capacity setting to a dynamic load setting that automatically adjusts based on real-time conditions. The system monitors the number of occupants in each elevator car and dynamically modifies the load setting to allow cars with lower actual loads to accept additional passengers, thereby optimizing traffic flow while maintaining safety margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the load capacity parameter dynamically rather than keeping it fixed. By monitoring actual occupancy and adjusting the load setting parameter in real-time, the system enables elevator cars to operate more efficiently without compromising safety. This parameter change allows the load capacity to adapt to current conditions, resolving the contradiction between safety and efficiency.
2Reliability
If a preset load capacity setting is used for elevator cars, then the maximum load is clearly limited, but the likelihood of passenger occupancy decreases and dispatch efficiency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual number of occupants in each elevator car and using this information to adjust the load setting. This feedback loop enables the system to respond to real-time conditions, allowing cars with lower actual loads to accept more passengers, thereby reducing wait times while maintaining safety through the persistent maximum load limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively adjusting load settings before passengers make decisions about which elevator to enter. By pre-modifying the load capacity display or communication to passengers based on current occupancy, the system influences passenger behavior in advance, reducing hesitation and wait times while maintaining safety constraints.
3Ease of operation
If elevator cars operate with preset load capacity, then the system is simple to operate, but car utilization is underoptimized and traffic flow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically monitoring occupancy and adjusting load settings without requiring manual intervention from operators or complex user input. The elevator system serves itself by making real-time optimizations to load capacity based on actual conditions, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving car utilization efficiency through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of adjusting a load setting of an elevator car that includes receiving one or more load measurements associated with the elevator car and determining a maximum load of the elevator car from the one or more load measurements. The method further includes generating a modified load setting for the elevator car based on the maximum load and replacing the load setting of the elevator car with the modified load setting.