Elevator Swing Operation System Dynamic Zone Reassignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator dispatching systems lack flexibility in assigning and dispatching elevator cars between zones, leading to increased wait times for passengers due to fixed allocations that do not adapt to changing passenger demands.
Innovation Solution
A controller-based system that reallocates elevator cars between zones based on passenger demand, using an algorithm that considers estimated time of arrival and the number of permitted reallocations to optimize dispatching, allowing cars to swing between zones to reduce wait times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If elevator cars are assigned to fixed zones, then zone coverage is maintained, but passenger wait times increase due to lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic elevator assignment where cars can swing between zones based on real-time passenger demand. The controller continuously monitors call buttons and automatically reassigns elevators from low-demand zones to high-demand zones, making the system adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing flexible reassignment (improving adaptability) while maintaining zone coverage, thereby reducing passenger wait times.
2Loss of time
If elevator cars are reallocated between zones, then passenger wait times decrease, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator dispatching system performs self-service through automatic monitoring and reassignment. The controller continuously monitors call buttons in each zone and autonomously decides when to swing elevators between zones without human intervention. This automation reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for manual dispatching while achieving the benefit of reduced wait times through dynamic reallocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from call button activations to dynamically adjust elevator assignments. When the controller detects a high volume of calls in one zone, it automatically reassigns elevators from other zones to balance the load. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing passenger demands while maintaining manageable complexity through rule-based automatic control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If maximum number of swing operations is set high, then adaptability improves, but operational stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows dynamic adjustment of the maximum swing parameter to balance adaptability and stability. By changing this parameter, the system can be configured to allow more or fewer elevator swings between zones depending on operational requirements. This parameter control enables the system to adapt to different traffic patterns while maintaining stability when frequent swings are not beneficial.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator swing operation system for use in a building includes a plurality of floors with landings that are grouped into zones. The elevator cars are allocated to service the zones with a default allocation setup or configuration. The allocation of elevator cars to zones can be modified by moving an elevator car from one zone to another in response to a maximum estimated time to arrival being exceeded and a maximum number of elevator cars allowed to change zones not being exceeded. Furthermore, the default configuration or allocation can be restored when the system is in swing operation, an elevator car is parked, and a minimum time for receiving no calls has been exceeded.