Multi-Compartment Elevator Evacuation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems are not efficiently integrated into building evacuation procedures, with occupants typically instructed to use stairs during emergencies, and there is a need for a method to effectively utilize elevators in evacuation processes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-compartment elevator system with sensor-controlled compartments that move to designated evacuation floors based on remaining capacity and urgency, reallocating space as needed to ensure efficient passenger evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If occupants use stairs during evacuation, then safety is improved, but evacuation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator car is divided into multiple compartments that can operate independently. Each compartment can service different floors simultaneously, allowing the elevator system to evacuate multiple floors in parallel, thereby reducing total evacuation time while maintaining safety through controlled compartment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The door operation is made dynamic through sensor systems that monitor remaining capacity and urgency levels. Doors remain open longer when capacity allows and urgency is high, and close earlier when capacity is full or urgency is low. This dynamic adjustment optimizes evacuation speed while ensuring safety requirements are met
2Productivity
If elevator doors remain open longer, then passenger loading improves, but evacuation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor systems continuously monitor compartment capacity, door status, and urgency levels, providing feedback to the control system. The control system adjusts door closure timing based on this feedback - extending open time when capacity permits and urgency is high, and reducing open time when capacity is constrained or urgency demands faster evacuation
Solution Approach 2:
Door operation timing is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adapts door open/close durations based on real-time conditions including remaining capacity and urgency level, optimizing the balance between loading efficiency and evacuation speed for each specific situation
3Quantity of substance
If multi-compartment elevators are used, then evacuation capacity increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator car is segmented into multiple compartments with independent door systems and sensor arrays. This segmentation increases evacuation capacity by allowing parallel operations across compartments while managing complexity through modular design where each compartment functions as a relatively independent unit
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs multiple functions: monitoring sensor data, calculating remaining capacity, determining urgency levels, deciding door operation timing, and coordinating compartment movements. This multi-functionality increases evacuation capacity through intelligent coordination while managing complexity by consolidating control logic in a centralized system
4Speed
If doors close early, then evacuation speed improves, but passenger loading decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor feedback to determine when to close doors. Doors close early when sensors indicate capacity is full or urgency is high, and remain open longer when capacity allows and urgency is lower. This feedback-based timing optimizes the trade-off between evacuation speed and loading efficiency based on real-time conditions
Solution Approach 2:
Door closure timing is dynamically adjusted based on remaining capacity and urgency level. The system transitions from static fixed timing to dynamic adaptive timing, closing doors earlier or later as conditions require, thereby optimizing both speed and loading efficiency for each specific evacuation scenario
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating an elevator system includes: receiving an evacuation call from a first evacuation floor; moving a first compartment of a multi-compartment elevator car to the first evacuation floor; opening a first door of the first compartment when the first compartment arrives at the first evacuation floor; monitoring, using a first sensor system, a remaining capacity within the first compartment; and closing the first door when at least one of a first selected period of time has passed and the remaining capacity within the first compartment is equal to a first selected remaining capacity.