Multicar Elevator Path Clearance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicar elevator systems with circular paths in connected shafts face issues where elevator cars cannot bypass each other, obstructing rescue or inspection operations due to blocked paths.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling the movement of multiple elevator cars, allowing manual selection of a car to move and dynamically controlling other cars to clear their path through a user interface and control unit, generating signals to move away from the selected car's driving area, either before or during its movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elevator cars travel along a circular path in connected shafts, then independent motion of elevator cars is enabled, but elevator cars cannot bypass each other during rescue or inspection operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically moves other elevator cars away from the driving area before the selected elevator car begins its rescue or inspection operation. This preliminary action ensures the path is cleared in advance, allowing the selected car to move independently without obstruction from other cars in the circular shaft system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates the movement of multiple elevator cars. When a rescue or inspection operation is initiated, the control unit mediates by automatically relocating other cars to non-interfering positions, enabling the selected car to perform its operation without direct physical obstruction from other cars.
2Ease of operation
If manual selection of elevator car is implemented, then specific car can be controlled for rescue operations, but path clearance requires additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically performs the path clearance function without requiring manual intervention. After the operator manually selects the elevator car for rescue or inspection operations, the control unit autonomously identifies other cars in the driving area and moves them away, making the system self-serve the path clearance task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically executes path clearance as a preliminary action before the selected elevator car begins its movement. The control unit proactively relocates obstructing cars to ensure the driving area is clear, rather than requiring the operator to manually coordinate each car's movement.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling movement of two or more elevator cars of a multicar elevator system. The method comprises: selecting manually via a user interface of an operational entity an elevator car from among a plurality of elevator cars to be moved and controlling movement of one or more other elevator cars from among the plurality of the elevator cars away from a driving area of the selected elevator car. The invention relates also to a multicar elevator system and an operational entity implementing at least portions of the method.