Elevator Group Reassignment for Real-Time Traffic Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems often fail to dynamically adjust elevator car assignments based on real-time traffic patterns and passenger demand, leading to inefficiencies in passenger wait times and system utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control system that uses machine learning to monitor elevator usage patterns and dynamically reassign elevator cars among sectors in response to traffic demands, allowing for real-time adjustments based on passenger counts and call frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If elevator cars are organized into fixed groups serving specific sectors, then system organization and control simplicity are improved, but adaptability to changing traffic patterns and passenger wait time are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem organizationVSAvoidadaptability to traffic patterns
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reassignment of elevator cars between sectors based on real-time traffic demand. Instead of fixed sector assignments, the system continuously monitors usage patterns and automatically redistributes elevator resources, allowing the same physical infrastructure to adapt to varying traffic conditions throughout the day

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates continuous monitoring of elevator usage patterns and traffic demand, using this feedback information to trigger automated reassignment decisions. The feedback loop enables the system to respond to changing conditions by detecting usage patterns and initiating reallocation when thresholds are exceeded

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If sectors remain unchanged in the elevator system, then system stability and control simplicity are improved, but passenger wait time and system efficiency are worsened during peak demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesector stabilityVSAvoidpassenger wait time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains stable sector definitions but dynamically adjusts which elevator cars serve which sectors based on real-time demand. This allows the logical organization to remain stable while the physical resource allocation becomes flexible, reducing wait times during peak periods without disrupting overall system structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of elevator car assignments rather than altering the physical sectors themselves. By modifying assignment parameters dynamically while keeping sector boundaries fixed, the system reduces passenger wait time without compromising structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If elevator groups serve different zones statically, then system organization is improved, but productivity and system utilization are worsened when traffic patterns change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice group organizationVSAvoidsystem utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Elevator cars are designed to serve multiple sectors throughout the day rather than being dedicated to a single sector. The same elevator car can be assigned to different service groups at different times, making the fleet universally capable of serving any sector and maximizing overall system utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically reassigns elevator cars between service groups based on real-time traffic demand. When a sector experiences peak usage, additional elevator cars are automatically allocated to that sector, optimizing productivity without requiring permanent reconfiguration of service groups

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3560870B1Automatic cognitive analysis of elevators to reduce passenger wait time
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3560870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3560870B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3560870B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of operating a building elevator system within a building having a plurality of floors is provided. The method including: controlling a first elevator group composed of one or more elevator systems configured to serve a plurality of floors within a first sector, the one or more elevator systems in the first elevator group further include a first elevator car; controlling a second elevator group composed of one or more elevator systems configured to serve a plurality of floors within a second sector, the one or more elevator systems in the second elevator group further include a second elevator car; monitoring usage of the first elevator group and second elevator group; and reassigning at least one of the one or more elevator systems of the second elevator group to the first elevator group in response to usage of the first elevator group and usage of the second elevator group.