Multi-Cab Elevator Hoistway Segmentation and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elevator systems in tall buildings are inefficient, as they require multiple hoistways and public elevators, leading to wasted time, effort, and security concerns for companies and individuals who need to access multiple floors, with private elevators being impractical or extremely costly to construct.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cab elevator system where multiple elevator cabs operate in the same hoistway, each connected to its own counterweight cables, with a sophisticated computer control system to manage and coordinate their movements, reservations, and destinations, allowing for private elevators between adjoining floors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple elevator cabs operate in the same hoistway, then the number of hoistways required is reduced and space usage is improved, but the complexity of the control system and cable arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hoistway is segmented into multiple independent operational zones, each capable of serving different floor ranges. Multiple cabs are assigned to different vertical sections within the same hoistway, allowing parallel operations without interference. This segmentation enables efficient space utilization while maintaining manageable control complexity through zoned management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces horizontal positioning as an additional dimension for cable arrangement. Counterweight cables are attached to different horizontal locations on the cab structure rather than all at the same position. This dimensional change allows multiple cables to coexist in the same vertical hoistway space without interference, resolving the spatial conflict while enabling multi-cab operation.
2Productivity
If multiple elevator cabs operate in the same hoistway, then wait times are reduced and efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of coordinating movements and ensuring safety increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary assignment of cabs to specific floor ranges and operational zones before movement begins. Cabs are pre-coordinated to operate in designated vertical sections, preventing potential conflicts before they occur. This preliminary organization enables efficient parallel operations while simplifying real-time control by maintaining predetermined spatial relationships between multiple cabs.
3Ease of manufacture
If counterweight cables are attached to the center of the cab, then the cable arrangement is simple, but interference with other cabs' cables occurs in multi-cab hoistways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric cable attachment points on the cab structure. Instead of all cables attaching at the horizontal center, cables are positioned at different horizontal offsets depending on the cab's vertical position and operational zone. This asymmetric arrangement eliminates cable interference between multiple cabs operating in the same hoistway while maintaining structural balance through compensating design elements.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to spatially separated counterweights in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on tracks, to guide each cab through the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention. A system and method for controlling the motions of all cabs comprising determining and selecting an optimal cab and a best hoistway range to service passenger requests.