Multicar Elevator System with Selective Car Introduction and Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ropeless elevator systems lack a systematic method for selectively introducing and removing elevator cars to optimize performance and service requirements, particularly in high-rise buildings where multiple cars need to operate efficiently in a single lane.
Innovation Solution
A multicar elevator system with a loading station that allows for the selective introduction and removal of elevator cars, including specialized cars, using an evaluation station to assess car performance and a transport mechanism for storing cars without obstructing the hoistway lanes, enabling efficient management and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple elevator cars operate in a single lane without selective introduction/removal capability, then the system can serve high-rise buildings with multiple cars, but the system cannot optimize performance or efficiently manage service requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of operational elevator cars based on real-time demand. The loading station enables cars to be selectively introduced or removed from the hoistway, allowing the system to transition between different operational states (more cars during peak demand, fewer cars during low demand) without requiring a fixed configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator system is segmented into independent, interchangeable car units that can be individually managed. Each car operates autonomously in the single lane, and the loading station provides a interface for selective car introduction/removal, enabling granular control over system capacity and performance optimization
2Ease of repair
If elevator cars are removed from service for maintenance, then service requirements can be met, but system downtime increases and operational continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operational capability by having multiple cars in circulation. When one car is removed for maintenance, other cars continue to serve the building, ensuring uninterrupted service. The loading station enables seamless replacement of maintained cars back into service without system shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
Elevator cars are treated as replaceable units that can be temporarily removed (discarded from service) for maintenance and then recovered back into operation. The loading station facilitates this discard-recover cycle, allowing cars to be efficiently cycled between operational and maintenance states
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized elevator cars are introduced for specific functions, then service versatility is improved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The loading station serves as a universal interface that handles all types of elevator cars (passenger, cargo, VIP, maintenance) through the same introduction and removal mechanism. This universal interface simplifies management despite the diversity of specialized car functions, as the core control logic remains consistent across different car types
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for managing an elevator system (10), includes providing a plurality of elevator cars (14) to travel in a hoistway (11), and selectively introducing and removing at least one of the plurality of elevator cars (14) to and from the hoistway (11) via a loading station (50).