Occupancy-Based Elevator Dispatch for Improved Traffic Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems often dispatch cars based on error detection or travel time, leading to situations where cars at near or full capacity are reassigned, causing decreased traffic flow and increased wait times for passengers.
Innovation Solution
A dispatch system that utilizes a dispatch controller to reassess and reassign elevator calls based on the relative occupant capacity of multiple cars, optimizing the allocation to minimize full cars and improve traffic flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elevator cars are reassigned based on error detection or travel time, then the system can respond to call requests, but elevator cars at near or full capacity are routinely dispatched, causing decreased traffic flow and increased wait times
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the dispatch parameter from error detection/travel time to occupant capacity. The dispatch controller monitors the number of occupants in each elevator car and uses this parameter to determine which car to dispatch, thereby avoiding dispatching full cars and improving traffic flow while maintaining reliable response to call requests
2Loss of time
If elevator cars are reassigned based on location or travel time, then the system can optimize response time, but elevator cars at near or full capacity are still dispatched, resulting in decreased traffic flow and greater wait times
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces location/travel time parameters with occupant capacity parameters for dispatch decisions. By monitoring real-time occupancy data, the system identifies available capacity and dispatches cars accordingly, reducing wait times and improving traffic flow while maintaining efficient response to call requests
3Loss of time
If elevator cars are reassigned based on shortest travel time, then the system can minimize response time, but it results in dispatching full cars and requiring passengers to attempt another call request
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses occupant capacity as the primary dispatch parameter to ensure that only cars with available capacity are assigned to call requests. This prevents failed call requests and improves ease of operation while maintaining minimal wait times through efficient capacity-based allocation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reassigning a first elevator car of a plurality of elevator cars that includes dispatching the first elevator car from a current location to a first destination location to pick up an occupant at the first destination location. The method includes determining the first elevator car stopped at an intermediate location positioned between the current location and the first destination location. The method further includes determining a number of occupants within the first elevator car is greater than at least a second elevator car of a plurality of elevator cars after the first elevator car stopped at the intermediate location, and directing the first elevator car to a second destination location different from the first destination location.