Elevator Overlay Controller for Reverse Direction Dispatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator control systems often lack the ability to efficiently handle 'reverse direction passenger requests' due to their complex and varied nature, which prevents overlay control systems from performing desirable operation sequences like canceling specific calls or optimizing elevator routes.
Innovation Solution
An overlay system that includes a destination dispatch controller and an overlay controller to interface with the elevator control system, allowing for the recording of primary and secondary destination dispatch requests, approximating the position of the elevator car, determining a target floor position, and entering a target floor call at a calculated time to stop the elevator, while canceling pending calls and optimizing passenger routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an overlay control system is used with existing elevator control systems, then additional functionality such as destination dispatch can be added, but the system cannot access or modify the interior structure of the control system, limiting its ability to perform certain operation sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an overlay controller as an intermediary device that interfaces with the existing elevator control system through its external controls. The overlay controller translates destination dispatch requests into sequences of standard elevator control commands, mediating between the user interface and the black-box control system without requiring internal modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functionality is segmented into two independent layers: the existing elevator control system handles basic elevator operations, while the overlay controller handles destination dispatch logic. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently without requiring changes to the other system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the overlay control system relies on externally accessible controls and predefined behaviors, then it can work with existing systems, but it cannot perform desirable operation sequences such as reverse direction passenger requests
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay controller dynamically adjusts its control strategy based on real-time system state. It monitors elevator position, direction, and pending requests, then adaptively generates appropriate command sequences to achieve desired operations including reverse direction requests, optimizing performance without requiring fixed predefined behaviors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the elevator control system is treated as a black box, then overlay systems can be applied to varied existing systems, but difficulties arise in canceling specific calls or optimizing elevator routes
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay controller implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the elevator system's response to its commands. It tracks elevator position, door status, and call fulfillment, using this feedback to adjust subsequent control actions and optimize routing decisions while maintaining compatibility with black-box systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes recording a primary destination dispatch request from a primary passenger at a first floor position via a destination dispatch controller 115, identifying a terminal floor, providing a terminal floor call signal to the elevator control system via an overlay controller 110, moving an assigned elevator car in a travel direction of the terminal floor, recording at least one secondary destination dispatch request from a secondary passenger at a respective at least one secondary floor position via the destination dispatch controller, approximating a position of the assigned elevator car, determining a target floor position via the destination dispatch controller, entering a target floor call corresponding to the target floor position at a calculated time to stop the assigned elevator car at the target floor position, cancelling all pending calls via the elevator control system 102, and entering at least one recorded destination dispatch request to the elevator control system.