Elevator Power Management via Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems consume power unnecessarily during idle, park, and shutdown modes due to active electronic and electrical appliances, leading to inefficiency and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An elevator controller determines the presence of passengers or goods and implements various power reduction modes, including reducing power to specific implements like lights and air conditioning, directing the elevator to a level, and suspending power reduction when passengers enter, to optimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic and electrical appliances are kept active during idle, park, and shutdown modes, then the elevator is ready for immediate operation, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of electronic and electrical appliances based on real-time occupancy detection. When passengers are detected, appliances operate at full capacity; when no passengers are present, appliances transition to reduced power modes or shutdown, creating a dynamic balance between readiness and energy conservation
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs sensors and cameras to continuously monitor elevator occupancy and provides feedback to the controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to make real-time decisions about power management, adjusting appliance states based on actual passenger presence rather than following fixed operational patterns
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is reduced to electronic and electrical appliances during idle periods, then energy consumption decreases, but the elevator response time when passengers arrive increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary occupancy detection using sensors and cameras before fully transitioning to power reduction modes. This allows the system to maintain a ready state for brief periods, enabling quick response if passengers arrive immediately while still achieving energy savings during extended idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring of occupancy status and elevator state, transitioning between power modes in controlled intervals. This periodic action ensures the system doesn't remain in reduced power mode indefinitely, maintaining appropriate readiness levels while achieving substantial energy savings during genuine idle periods
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple power reduction modes are implemented based on occupancy, then energy efficiency is optimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into distinct operational modes (first power reduction mode, second power reduction mode, third power reduction mode), each with specific appliance configurations. This segmentation allows the controller to select appropriate modes based on occupancy detection, managing complexity through structured categorization rather than continuous decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an elevator system for a multi-level architectural structure, the elevator system having an elevator controller for an elevator in a hoistway, wherein the elevator controller effects a first determination of whether passengers or goods are in the elevator and effects a power mode for the elevator based on the first determination.