Multi-car Elevator Control with Segmented Call Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-car elevator systems face challenges in efficiently managing different car types within a shared shaft, leading to increased energy consumption and space requirements, as well as potential collisions and inefficient allocation of special purpose cars.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a second car type tailored to specific building needs, which can be parked outside the main loop when not in use, using a horizontal moving mechanism for efficient energy-saving and space optimization, with a call allocation control synchronizing the movement of first and second cars to prevent collisions and ensure smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If special purpose cars (second cars) are integrated into the normal call allocation procedure, then they can respond to specific building needs, but the calculating effort of the call allocation control increases and the second car must be moved continuously consuming energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to special building needsVSAvoidenergy consumption of second car

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The call allocation control is segmented into two independent parts: a first part for normal first cars and a second part for special second cars. This segmentation allows the second car to be excluded from continuous call allocation calculations, reducing computing effort and enabling the second car to remain stationary in a parking area when not needed, thereby saving energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second car is extracted from the normal circulating fleet and placed in a separate parking area outside the moving loop. It is only brought into service when a specific call is received, at which point it is moved to the required floor. This extraction eliminates continuous movement and associated energy consumption while maintaining adaptability to special needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If second cars are moved continuously in the elevator shaft, then they can be allocated to various floors, but the calculating effort of the call allocation control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveallocation flexibility of second carVSAvoidcalculating effort of call allocation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The call allocation control is divided into two independent parts: a first part handling normal first cars that circulate continuously, and a second part handling special second cars that remain parked. This segmentation simplifies the overall calculation by excluding the second car from continuous real-time allocation computations, reducing calculating effort while preserving allocation flexibility through the second part of the control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple car types operate in a shared shaft, then individual building requirements are met, but potential collisions and coordination challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different car typesVSAvoidcollision prevention between cars

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second car is extracted from the moving loop and placed in a separate parking area, physically separating it from the continuous circulation path of first cars. This spatial separation eliminates the risk of collisions between different car types. The second car is only moved to the moving loop when a specific call requires its service, at which point coordination is managed through the second part of the call allocation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If second cars are included in the normal call allocation, then all floors can be served, but the second car must be moved continuously which consumes energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of second car at any floorVSAvoidenergy wasted by continuous movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The second car is pre-positioned in a parking area on a seldom-used floor rather than being continuously circulated. When a call is received for the second car, it is moved from the parking area to the required floor. This preliminary positioning strategy eliminates continuous movement and associated energy waste while maintaining the capability to serve any floor when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11465877B2Elevator system accommodating elevator cars having different sizes

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 KONE OYJ

AI summary

The invention refers to an elevator system having a plurality of elevator cars, which elevator cars comprise several first cars and at least one second car, which second car differs from the first cars in its size and/or technical configuration, whereby the first cars and the second car run together within one and the same elevator shaft, which elevator system comprises an elevator control comprising a call allocation control having a first part connected to at least one call input device for allocating the first elevator cars and a second part connected to at least one call issuing means for the call allocation of the second car, whereby the first and second part of the call allocation control are configured to work independently of each other.