Elevator Queueing Control for Human and Robot Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems are inefficient when accommodating both human and robot traffic, as robot determination of available space slows down the operation and affects human transportation.
Innovation Solution
An elevator control system that prioritizes human traffic by delaying robot calls based on current transport capacity and priority levels, allowing robots to wait in a queue if necessary, and customizing wait times and priority settings to optimize elevator usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elevator system allows robots to board and determine available space, then robot transportation is enabled, but the operation speed of the elevator system is slowed down
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating available space in the elevator car and pre-determining whether robots can board before the actual boarding process. The control unit continuously monitors elevator car status and prepares boarding decisions in advance, rather than determining space availability during the boarding moment, thus reducing operational delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator control system is segmented into distinct functional units: a detection unit that independently detects available space, a determination unit that independently determines robot boarding feasibility, and a control unit that coordinates their operations. This segmentation allows parallel processing of space detection and elevator operation management, minimizing the impact on overall system speed.
2Productivity
If the elevator system prioritizes robot calls, then robot transportation efficiency is improved, but human transportation is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of call priority by introducing priority levels (first, second, third) that can be dynamically assigned to different callers (humans or robots). The control unit adjusts the scheduling parameters based on the current elevator car status, available space, and predefined priority rules, allowing flexible optimization between robot efficiency and human convenience without fixed prioritization.
3Measurement precision
If the elevator system detects available space for robots in real-time, then robot boarding accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit autonomously detects available space in the elevator car using sensors and onboard computing resources. The determination unit independently evaluates whether the detected space is sufficient for robot boarding based on predefined criteria. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external monitoring systems or manual space assessment, achieving high measurement precision while keeping the added complexity contained within dedicated specialized units.
Data Source
AI summary
In an elevator installation, an elevator control system is configured to receive an elevator call from a person via a call terminal and from a robot via a radio transceiver. A current transport capacity of the elevator installation is determined. An elevator call originating from the robot is recognized by the elevator control system, the call including a priority level set by a dispatcher, wherein the priority level is one of a high, a medium and a low priority range, wherein the elevator call is indicative of a boarding floor. The allocation of the elevator call originating from the robot to the elevator car is delayed if the priority level is set to the medium priority range and the current transport capacity is lower than a first threshold value, or if the priority level is set to the low priority range and the current transport capacity is lower than a second threshold value.