Robot Elevator Control via Dynamic Parameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator systems are not optimized for robotic use, lacking parameters such as travel speed, acceleration, and jerk settings that could enhance efficiency and productivity in building maintenance operations, and often require human-compatible features that are unnecessary for robots.
Innovation Solution
A robot-use elevator system with a controller that receives requests from robots and operates the elevator car using parameters outside human limits, such as increased speed and acceleration, without human-compatible features like climate control or in-car displays, and includes a handshake operation to ensure only robots can use the elevator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional elevator systems are used with human-compatible parameters, then safety and comfort for human passengers are ensured, but travel speed and operational efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying elevator operation parameters specifically for robotic use. The controller receives robot identifiers and adjusts parameters such as travel speed, acceleration, and door operation timing to optimize for robotic efficiency rather than human comfort. This allows the same elevator hardware to operate at higher speeds and with different performance characteristics when transporting robots, directly resolving the contradiction between human safety parameters and robotic productivity requirements.
2Ease of operation
If human-compatible features are included in the elevator system, then user comfort and safety are improved, but system complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the elevator system's configuration dynamic and adaptable based on the passenger type. The controller dynamically adjusts operational parameters and features based on whether a robot or human is using the elevator. For robotic operations, human-compatible features like climate control and detailed displays can be disabled or simplified, reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation for the actual user (the robot). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between providing human comfort features and minimizing system complexity.
3Loss of time
If elevator parameters are optimized for robotic use, then travel time and operational costs are reduced, but safety requirements for human passengers may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a controller that acts as a mediator between the elevator hardware and the robot passenger. The controller verifies robot identifiers, authenticates robotic users, and manages the transition between different operational modes. This intermediary ensures that optimized robotic parameters are only applied when appropriate, maintaining safety by preventing unauthorized use and ensuring that human passengers still receive human-compatible service. The controller thus enables time reduction for robots while preserving safety and reliability for all users.
Data Source
AI summary
Building systems and method of using elevators in buildings are described. The systems include a robot-use elevator system having an elevator car moveable along an elevator shaft of a building, a controller configured to receive requests associated with the elevator system and configured to control operation of the elevator system, and a robot configured in communication with the controller and configured to perform actions within the building, the robot configured to travel within the building in the elevator car. The elevator car is operated using parameters outside limits intended for human use of an elevator car.


