Shuttle Elevator Dispatch Control for Anti-Bunching Arrivals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shuttle elevator groups experience bunching issues where elevator cars converge closely in time, leading to long wait times for passengers due to inconsistent dispatching algorithms.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method to dynamically control the spacing between elevator car arrivals at landings by considering fullness percentage, time since previous departure, and estimated time until the next arrival, using a dispatcher to optimize the dispatching process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional dispatching algorithms are used, then elevator cars are dispatched to serve passengers, but elevator cars converge closely in time causing bunching and long wait times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger wait timeVSAvoidarriving time distribution of elevator cars

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dispatching algorithm dynamically adjusts the departure timing of elevator cars based on real-time conditions including fullness percentage, time since previous departure, and estimated time until next arrival. This dynamic control prevents fixed scheduling patterns that cause bunching, allowing the system to adaptively space elevator arrivals to minimize passenger wait times while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including elevator car fullness, departure timing history, and arrival predictions. This feedback loop enables the dispatcher to make informed decisions about when to dispatch each elevator car, adjusting dispatch intervals based on actual system state rather than following rigid predetermined schedules, thereby preventing bunching and reducing wait times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If elevator cars are dispatched frequently to reduce wait times, then passenger service improves, but elevator cars may arrive too closely together causing bunching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger service rateVSAvoidspacing between elevator arrivals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically balances service rate and arrival spacing by continuously adjusting dispatch intervals based on real-time conditions. When demand is high, the system can increase service rate while the feedback mechanism prevents bunching by spacing arrivals appropriately. When demand is low, the system reduces service rate to maintain efficient operation without causing unnecessary arrivals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dispatching algorithm changes key operational parameters including departure timing, dispatch intervals, and service frequency based on current system state. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed values, the system optimizes both passenger service rate and arrival spacing simultaneously, preventing bunching while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12503335B2Control for shuttle elevator groups

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A method of operating a shuttle elevator group including: detecting an arrival of an elevator car at a landing; determining a time since a previous elevator car departed the landing; determining a fullness percentage of the elevator car; determining an estimated time until a next elevator car arrives at the landing; and determining when the elevator car departs the landing based upon at least one of the fullness percentage of the elevator car, the time since the previous elevator car departed the landing, and the estimated time until the next elevator car arrives at the landing.