Dynamic Elevator Route Selector with Transfer Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In very tall buildings, efficiently identifying a preferred elevator car route for passengers with different destination floors at similar times is challenging due to multiple possible routes and varying passenger capacities, especially considering transfer floors and anticipated delays.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining and presenting estimated travel times for different elevator car routes, incorporating transfer times and passenger capacity, allowing users to select routes based on expected delays and capacity, and updating travel plans and arrival times on interactive displays and mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple elevator car routes are provided to serve different destination floors, then passenger service coverage is improved, but route selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors elevator car positions, travel times, and passenger requests to dynamically calculate and update route options. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions and provide optimal route selections, resolving the contradiction by making the complex system responsive and intelligent rather than static and confusing
Solution Approach 2:
The route selection system transitions from a static fixed-route approach to a dynamic adaptive system that recalculates routes based on real-time elevator positions, travel times, and passenger destinations. This dynamic behavior allows the system to handle multiple destinations efficiently while maintaining simple user interaction through automated recommendations
2Adaptability or versatility
If transfer floors are used to connect different elevator groups, then building coverage is improved, but travel time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively identifies when transfer floor routes are necessary and calculates optimal transfer timing in advance. By predicting passenger destinations and elevator availability, the system can prepare transfer instructions beforehand and coordinate elevator arrivals to minimize waiting time at transfer floors, thus reducing the time penalty of transfers
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between different elevator groups and transfer floors. It synchronizes elevator arrivals, manages passenger flow between transfers, and optimizes transfer timing to minimize delays, effectively mediating the trade-off between building coverage and travel time
3Measurement precision
If real-time travel time calculation is implemented, then route accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical timing and coordination mechanisms with electronic sensors, processors, and communication systems. Real-time travel time calculation is achieved through electronic monitoring of elevator positions and speeds, combined with computational algorithms that quickly determine optimal routes, substituting physical complexity with intelligent processing
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically monitors its own state (elevator positions, speeds, and availability) and uses this self-collected data to calculate real-time travel times and optimize routes. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external timing devices or manual coordination, achieving high route accuracy through autonomous system intelligence
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes receiving a passenger request to reserve an elevator car of an elevator system to travel to a targeted destination. At least two different travel options (404A, 404B) to the targeted destination are determined based on a plurality of elevator car travel plans comprising at least two elevator cars having different travel ranges. The at least two different travel options (404A, 404B) are output to an interactive display (204). At least one of the at least two elevator cars is reserved responsive to a user selection of one of the at least two different travel options (404A, 404B).