Elevator Spatial Occupancy Detection via Optical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern elevators often experience inefficiencies due to unnecessary stops to pick up additional passengers, as weight-based occupancy detection can be misleading, especially with lighter passengers or bulky items, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses spatial occupancy detection through sensors like cameras or grids to determine the available space in elevators, allowing control devices to decide whether to stop at requested floors based on actual capacity, thereby optimizing elevator operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If weight-based occupancy detection is used, then the system is simple to implement, but the measurement precision is low leading to inaccurate capacity estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces weight-based mechanical detection with optical sensing systems (cameras, optical sensors) to detect occupancy. This substitution allows for more accurate spatial capacity measurement by directly observing the physical space occupied by passengers rather than inferring from weight, thereby resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that captures images or optical data and processes this information to determine spatial occupancy. This intermediary layer between the sensor and the control decision enables accurate capacity assessment by analyzing the actual space occupied, bridging the gap between simple sensing and precise measurement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the elevator stops at every requested floor to pick up passengers, then all passengers can be accommodated, but the travel time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining spatial occupancy before the elevator arrives at each floor. The system pre-assesses whether there is available capacity for additional passengers based on current occupancy, allowing the control system to make informed decisions about stopping or bypassing floors before arrival, thus reducing unnecessary stops and travel time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the elevator's stopping behavior adapts in real-time based on current occupancy conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the stopping pattern by comparing available spatial capacity with demand at each floor, optimizing the balance between passenger accommodation and travel efficiency rather than following a fixed stopping schedule.
3Ease of operation
If the elevator makes unnecessary stops, then additional passengers can board, but the productivity of the elevator system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring spatial occupancy and using this information to control stopping decisions. The system receives feedback on current capacity status and adjusts its operation accordingly, stopping only when there is both demand and available space, thereby eliminating unnecessary stops that would reduce productivity while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate boarding scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more elevators can be more efficiently controlled by considering the then-current spatial capacity of the elevator. Camera images or other sensor data indicative of the occupied space in the elevator are received and processed by a control device to determine whether or not the elevator should stop at a requested floor. If the elevator is determined to lack space for additional passengers, then the elevator can bypass the requested stop and proceed without delay. If space remains, however, the elevator can stop to accommodate additional passengers. Measured spatial capacity can also be used to coordinate the actions of multiple elevators operating within a building.