Patent Application
20250042692
The present disclosure relates in general to an elevator system in a building. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure relate in particular to a way of servicing elevator calls in the elevator system and a method for operating such an elevator system.
Buildings are usually designed and constructed for a single use or for mixed use. A residential building is an example of a single use, as is an office building. A mixed use exists if, for example, a building comprises apartments and commercially used space. An elevator system installed in the building is adapted for the respective type of use. Depending on the building, the elevator system can have a single elevator, an elevator group or a plurality of elevator groups; in addition, one or more special elevators (e.g., freight elevators) can be provided.
Over time, the originally planned use of the building can change for various reasons. The need for office space or commercial space in general may decline due to changing life and work circumstances, for example. In an office building, for example, vacant space on one or more floors can be converted into apartments. In the event of such a change of use, the elevator system installed in the building remains substantially as it was adapted for the originally planned use of the building.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,700 B2 describes an elevator system in which users are identified on the basis of transponders carried by them and assigned to one of several user classes. Priority levels are assigned to the user classes, wherein a higher priority level is addressed before a lower priority level.
Although an elevator system is still available for transporting persons and goods after a change of use, it may be necessary or desirable, depending on the building and its use, for the elevator system to be adaptable to the changed use. There is therefore a need for a technology that fully or at least partially meets these requirements.
One aspect of the disclosure described herein relates to a method for operating an elevator system in a building which can comprise at least a first floor or at least a second floor area for a first user group, and at least a second floor or at least a second floor area for a second user group. This definition and the operating mode assigned to each user group can be saved in a memory device. The elevator system can have an elevator controller and an elevator car that can be moved in an elevator shaft. According to the method, a first elevator call may be received by the elevator controller and analyzed thereby to determine a first call input floor and/or a first destination floor based on the first elevator call. An operating mode may be ascertained based on the first call input floor and/or the first destination floor. The elevator controller may read the corresponding data from the memory device to determine the operating mode. The elevator controller can control the elevator car according to the ascertained operating mode.
A further aspect relates to an elevator system that can have an elevator controller and an elevator car which can be moved between floors of a building in an elevator shaft under the control of the elevator controller. At least one first floor or at least one first floor area for a first user group and at least one second floor or at least one second floor area for a second user group can be defined in the building. The definition and an operating mode assigned to each user group can be saved in a memory device. The elevator controller can be designed to control the elevator system in accordance with the method and its embodiments described herein.
According to the disclosure described here, an elevator system can be created in which user groups are recognized and differentiated on the basis of the floor to which an elevator is called as a boarding floor (also called a call input floor) and/or as an exit floor (also called a destination floor). It can thereby be ascertained, for example, where a passenger is located when the call is entered (e.g., on which floor or floor area) and/or which destination floor the passenger has. This can be used to determine the operating mode according to which the elevator system operates the elevator call. This can also result in the user group to which the passenger is assigned; the ascertained operating mode can be defined for this user group. The elevator call can then be operated specifically for user groups according to the ascertained operating mode. For example, elevator calls that are entered by residents on residential floors can be operated more slowly than elevator calls that are entered on commercially used floors. Such slower operation can result, for example, from a longer waiting time for an elevator car ready for boarding or a lower operating speed (e.g., travel speed or acceleration) of the elevator car.
In one exemplary embodiment, each operating mode can have at least one operating parameter. The at least one operating parameter can specify a priority level, a call assignment criterion or a speed variable, wherein the speed variable specifies a car travel speed, a car acceleration, a car deceleration, an opening and closing speed of a car door and a hold-open time of the car door. A first operating mode may differ from a second operating mode in terms of at least one operating parameter. The first operating mode which is assigned to a first user group, for example, therefore can differ in terms of at least one operating parameter from the second operating mode which is assigned to a second user group. The elevator controller therefore can have a different operating mode depending on the user group.
In one exemplary embodiment which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the preceding exemplary embodiments, a priority level can be defined for an operating mode, wherein the at least one operating parameter defines the priority level. The elevator controller can determine a first priority level which is defined by the at least one operating parameter of the determined first operating mode. The elevator controller can read corresponding data from the memory device to determine the first priority level. The elevator controller can check whether there is a second elevator call and, if this is the case, analyze the second elevator call in order to determine a second call input floor and/or a second destination floor from the second elevator call. Based on the second call input floor and/or the second destination floor, a second operating mode and a second priority level, which is determined by the at least one operating parameter of the second operating mode, can be determined. The elevator controller can read corresponding data from the memory device to determine the second operating mode and the second priority level. The operating mode that has priority over the other operating mode according to the priority level ascertained for it can be ascertained from the first operating mode and the second operating mode. The elevator controller can control the elevator car according to the ascertained priority operating mode, wherein the elevator call on which this operating mode is based is serviced with priority. The elevator controller can therefore be designed to take another factor into account when servicing elevator calls; it can therefore, for example, preferentially service an elevator call that is entered on a commercially used floor. Priority servicing means, for example, that if there are several calls to be serviced, the call entered on a commercial floor can be serviced before a call entered on a residential floor.
In one exemplary embodiment which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the preceding exemplary embodiments, a traffic threshold and a speed variable can be defined as operating parameters for an operating mode. The elevator controller can determine a current traffic volume in the elevator system, which can be compared with the traffic threshold of the ascertained operating mode that results from the ascertained first call input floor and/or the first destination floor. An initial speed variable can be defined for the ascertained operating mode. If the traffic threshold of the ascertained operating mode is undershot which indicates a low traffic volume, it can be ascertained whether a slower operation of the elevator car is defined for the ascertained determined operating mode compared to another operating mode defined in the elevator system. If this is the case, an alternative operating mode may be selected for which a second speed variable is defined, which accelerates operation of the elevator car compared to the first speed variable. The elevator car can be controlled according to the alternative operating mode. If this is not the case, the elevator car can be controlled according to the ascertained operating mode. The elevator controller can therefore be designed to use an additional factor in the response to elevator calls according to this exemplary embodiment. The operating mode can be determined not only on the basis of the ascertained first call input floor and/or the first destination floor, but also as a function of the traffic volume. For example, it may not be necessary or desirable to more slowly service elevator calls from residents or to give preference to elevator calls from commercial users when traffic volumes are low.
In one exemplary embodiment, which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the exemplary embodiments described herein, a service time limit and a call assignment criterion can be defined as operating parameters for an operating mode. The elevator controller can determine a current service time for servicing an elevator call in the elevator system, which can be compared with the service time threshold of the ascertained operating mode which results from the ascertained first call input floor and/or the first destination floor. An initial call assignment criterion can be defined for the ascertained operating mode. Exceeding the service time threshold of the ascertained operating mode can indicate an increased service time, in particular an increased waiting time. If the service time threshold is exceeded, it can be ascertained whether a longer service time for servicing an elevator call is defined for the ascertained operating mode compared to another operating mode defined in the elevator system. If this is the case, an alternative operating mode can be selected for which a second call assignment criterion is defined, and the elevator car may be controlled according to the alternative operating mode. The second call assignment criterion can reduce the service time for servicing an elevator call compared to the first service time. If this is not the case, the elevator car may be controlled according to the ascertained operating mode.
The elevator controller can therefore designed to use an additional factor in the response to elevator calls according to this exemplary embodiment. The operating mode can be ascertained not only on the basis of the ascertained first call input floor and/or the first destination floor, but also as a function of the service time. For example, there may be a situation in which it takes longer for a car to be ready for boarding; this may be the case, for example, if there is a high volume of traffic. For reasons of acceptance and convenience, however, the waiting time may be limited, especially in connection with an elevator call that a resident enters for a trip to or from an apartment floor. If such an elevator call exists and the corresponding operating mode results in a waiting time that is longer than that for an elevator call from a commercial floor, the alternative operating mode can aim to reduce the waiting time. The call assignment criterion can be defined in such a way that a call assignment algorithm optimizes the waiting time, e.g., reduces it.
In one exemplary embodiment which can be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the preceding exemplary embodiments, at least one validity period can be saved in the memory device for an operating mode. The validity period can determine when the operating mode is to be used. The elevator controller can check whether a received elevator call falls within a validity period of an ascertained operating mode. If this is the case, the elevator controller can control the elevator car according to the ascertained operating mode, and if this is not the case, the elevator controller can control the elevator car according to a standard mode. The elevator controller can therefore be designed to take another factor into account when servicing elevator calls.
In one exemplary embodiment, which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the preceding exemplary embodiments, the validity period can comprise at least one day of the week, at least one time of the day, and/or at least one period of the day. The elevator controller can therefore be adapted inter alia to the building and its use (e.g., the composition of the user groups).
In one exemplary embodiment, which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the exemplary embodiments described herein, a user group to which a passenger who initiates an elevator call is assigned can be ascertained based on the first call input floor and/or the first destination floor. The elevator controller can also be adapted inter alia to the building and its use (e.g., the composition of the user groups). In addition, the elevator controller can operate the elevator system specifically for user groups, e.g., commercial user groups can be served more quickly and/or preferentially.
In an exemplary embodiment which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the exemplary embodiments described herein, the first elevator call can be temporally operated differently by the elevator controller; in particular it can be operated at different speeds depending on whether the first or the second operating mode and the associated user groups are ascertained. In the aforementioned example, the elevator call of the resident can be serviced more slowly than the elevator call of a person from the commercial user group.
The disclosure described herein is not limited to a specific control technology; it can be used in an elevator system with a destination call controller and in an elevator system with a conventional up/down direction controller. In one exemplary embodiment which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the exemplary embodiments described herein, the first elevator call can be a destination call initiated by the first passenger outside the elevator car, wherein the elevator controller determines the first call input floor and the first destination floor from the destination call. This exemplary embodiment concerns an elevator system with a destination call controller.
In one exemplary embodiment, which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the exemplary embodiments described herein, the first elevator call can be a floor call initiated by the first passenger outside the elevator car that indicates a desired direction of travel, wherein the elevator controller ascertains the first call input floor from the floor call. The first elevator call can also be a car call initiated by the first passenger in the elevator car, wherein the elevator controller ascertains the first destination floor from the car call. This exemplary embodiment concerns an elevator system with a conventional up/down direction controller.
In the disclosure described herein, according to one or more of the exemplary embodiments described herein, an elevator call can be made with a permanently installed elevator operating device or with a mobile apparatus. The mobile apparatus can be, for example, a (card-like) credential with (RFID) radio technology or an optical code (e.g., QR code), or a cell phone with a corresponding software application, in certain circumstances in conjunction with Bluetooth technology or an optical code. The disclosure described here is also particularly applicable when an elevator call is made with such a mobile apparatus, namely without identifying the passenger, because even then the user group can be ascertained with the information relating to the boarding and exiting floor. For example, if passengers want to travel from an access floor (e.g., first floor) to an upper floor, the user group can distinguish the destination floor (exit floor).
Various aspects of the present disclosure are described in greater detail below in conjunction with the drawings with reference to exemplary embodiments. In the figures, identical elements have identical reference signs. In the drawings:
The elevator system 1 serves the floors L0, L, Ln by transporting a passenger (or the elevator car 10) from a call input floor to a destination floor. In one exemplary embodiment, operation can begin when the elevator call is received, and can end when the passenger leaves the elevator car 10 on the destination floor. Depending on the elevator system and its current situation (e.g., number and position of elevator cars 10), the received elevator call can be processed, e.g., to select a car 10 for the journey and to plan the journey (e.g., possible movement to the call input floor and subsequent movement to the destination floor with or without an intermediate stop).
In the exemplary building situation shown in
An operating mode can have at least one operating parameter which in one exemplary embodiment is saved in the memory device 15. The at least one operating parameter can define a priority level, a call assignment criterion or a speed variable. The speed variable can define a car travel speed, a car acceleration, a car deceleration, an opening and closing speed of a car door or a hold-open time of the car door. A first operating mode may differ from a second operating mode in terms of at least one operating parameter. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an operating mode can comprise a plurality of these operating parameters.
In one exemplary embodiment, the service time, in particular the different service times for the different user groups, can be influenced by an operating parameter of an operating mode defining a priority level according to which an elevator call is to be serviced. Depending on the design of the elevator system 1, all or some of the operating modes can have an operating parameter that defines an individual priority level. If no priority level is defined, the elevator controller 1 can evaluate this as “no priority” or “lowest priority level”. In building 2, for example, there can be a plurality of elevator calls from different user groups at basically the same time, e.g., a first elevator call from a first passenger (resident) and a second elevator call from a second passenger (commercial user). In such a case, the elevator controller 13 can ascertain a priority level that is assigned to the user group to which the first passenger belongs. For the second (or additional) elevator call, the elevator controller 13 can ascertain (also based on an ascertained second call input floor and/or an ascertained second destination floor) the user group to which the second passenger belongs and the priority level of the second user group. The elevator controller 13 can control the elevator car 10 in such a way that the elevator call is prioritized which originates from the user group that has priority over the other user group according to its priority level.
Reference is again made to the situation shown in
A person skilled in the art will also recognize that the disclosure described herein is not limited to mixed use by apartments and businesses, but also includes sole use by commercial users (e.g., various businesses). For example, one or more floors or parts of a building can be used by a hotel company, while other floors or parts of a building on these floors can be used by other businesses (e.g., stores, law firms, etc.). The following description refers to mixed use by apartments and businesses by way of example.
The elevator system 1 installed in the building 2 can be configured to serve the floors L0, L, Ln in accordance with the usage scenarios described herein. Residents of the apartments can use elevator system 1 to be transported from one residential floor (residential part of the building) to another residential floor (residential part of the building) or to a building access floor (entrance hall), or to be transported from the entrance hall to a residential floor (residential part of the building). Accordingly, persons (e.g., employees, hotel guests, visitors, etc.) who use the floors for commercial purposes can be transported between the individual commercial floors and between the commercial floors and the entrance hall. Depending on the building 2, both user groups (residents and commercial persons) can use the same entrance hall, but separate entrances to the elevator system 1 can also be provided. The building 2 can also have separate entrance halls (e.g., on different floors). A person skilled in the art will recognize that the elevator system 1, possibly in conjunction with an access control system, can be configured to detect and verify credentials before a resident or other person can be transported to a floor.
In the exemplary situation shown in
The use of the building 2, for example, its division into floors L0, L, Ln, the arrangement of any parts of the building B, R and the accesses to the building 2 and the elevator system 1 can be defined in a building plan in one exemplary embodiment. The building plan can be stored in electronic form in the elevator system 1 or in a building management system. The elevator system 1 can use this saved building plan, for example, when planning an elevator ride. If, for example, the use and/or layout of the floors L0, L, Ln or parts of the building B, R changes in the building 2, the building plan can be updated at a central location.
For the purposes of illustration,
The elevator controller 13 can comprise a plurality of functions, which are shown in
The elevator car 10 shown in
A communication network 22 connects the elevator operating devices 4 to the elevator controller 13 and thus makes communication possible between the elevator controller 13 and the elevator operating devices 4. For this communication, the elevator operating devices 4 and the elevator controller 13 may be directly or indirectly connected to the communication network 22.
The communication networks 22, 24 can each comprise a communication bus system, individual point-to-point lines, or a combination thereof. Depending on the implementation of the communication networks 22, 24, the elevator controller 13, each elevator operating device 4, each car door 10a, 10b and each shaft door 6, 7 can be assigned individual addresses and/or identifiers, so that, for example, the elevator controller 13 can address and send a message specifically to a particular elevator operating device 4 or a control signal to a particular car door 10a, 10b. Communication can take place in accordance with a protocol for wired communication, for example, the Ethernet protocol. With the above-mentioned addressing or the point-to-point line connection, the elevator controller 13 (e.g., in conjunction with the above-mentioned building plan) can recognize, among other things, on which floor L0, L, Ln, in which part of the building (B, R) and at which elevator operating device 4 a resident or other person inputs an elevator call. The recognized floor L0, L, Ln or the recognized part of the building (B, R) can specify a boarding location (boarding floor and boarding side into the car 10) for a desired ride to a destination floor.
The elevator installation 1 can be equipped with an up/down controller (also direction controller) or a destination call controller, for example. A person skilled in the art recognizes that mixed forms of the aforementioned control technologies can also be possible. If the elevator system 1 is equipped with an up/down controller, elevator operating devices 4 can be arranged on the floors L, L0, Ln on each of which an elevator call (also floor call or direction call) can be input for a desired direction of travel. For illustration purposes, such an elevator operating device 4 is shown in
If the elevator system 1 is equipped with a destination call controller, elevator operating devices 4 can be arranged on the floors L, L0, Ln on which a passenger P can input a desired destination floor; a destination call can then be registered as an elevator call. For illustration purposes, such elevator operating devices 4 are shown in
To transport a passenger, the elevator system 1 can be controlled according to defined operating parameters. For example, the elevator controller 13 can assign the elevator call to the elevator car 10 (or one of several cars 10) and move the (assigned) elevator car 10 according to the boarding floor and the destination floor. The operating parameters can include, for example, a car travel speed, a car acceleration, a car deceleration (negative acceleration), an opening and closing speed of a car door, a hold-open time of the car door and/or a call assignment criterion (e.g., with regard to minimized waiting time or travel with or without an intermediate stop).
According to the disclosure described herein, different service times can be defined for the various user groups. Accordingly, a plurality of operating modes can be defined and saved in the elevator system 1 or in the elevator controller 13. Each operating mode can define at least one operating parameter that is specific to a user group. For example, an operating mode that is assigned to the “resident” user group may differ by at least one operating parameter from an operating mode that is assigned to the “commercial user” user group. For example, a resident may have to wait longer for a car 10 than a commercial user because the call assignment is slower (e.g., because other elevator calls are served with priority) and/or the elevator car 10 is moved to the boarding floor more slowly.
The service time, or the total time a passenger associates with an elevator use, can indicate the amount of time it takes to service an elevator call. The service time can comprise three time intervals. A first time interval can be the time that a passenger waits on the call input floor for the arrival of the elevator car 10; this time is also referred to as “waiting time.” A second time interval can be the “door dwell time” or the amount of time the elevator doors are open so that passengers can enter or exit the elevator car 10. A third time interval can be the “travel time” or the time a passenger spends in the elevator car 10. The travel time can also include a stop on an intermediate floor. In one exemplary embodiment, the service time can begin at the time of the call input on an elevator operating device 4 and ends at the time when the passenger steps out of the car 10 on the destination floor. A person skilled in the art recognizes that the service time can also define a different time period.
The elevator controller 13, in particular the drive controller 8, can control, for example, the movement according to the mentioned operating parameters as a function of a (current) position of the elevator car 10 in the elevator shaft 18 and the next stopping floor. Braking of the elevator car 10 can be initiated, for example, if the car 10 is located within a floor zone defined for the stopping floor. In the elevator system 1, a corresponding functionality can be provided for position determination; in
Further details on the design of the elevator system 1, in particular on the structures and functionalities of the car doors 10a, 10b and the shaft doors 6, 7 and their communication with the elevator controller 13 are described herein, including in connection with
With an understanding of the elevator system 1 described herein and its functionalities, exemplary embodiments of exemplary uses are described herein.
The method according to
In a step A3, the elevator call is analyzed by the elevator controller 13 to determine a call input floor and/or a destination floor based on the elevator call. If the elevator call is a destination call, the call input floor and the destination floor can be ascertained. The call input floor can be ascertained in a floor call, and the destination floor in a car call.
In one exemplary embodiment, the elevator controller 13 can ascertain the elevator operating device 4 from which the elevator call is received. The elevator controller 13 can recognize (e.g., in conjunction with the building plan and the aforementioned addressing via the communication network 22) on which floor (call input floor) and on which elevator operating device 4 the resident enters the elevator call. The elevator controller 13 can therefore also ascertain whether the elevator car 10 should be moved to the call input floor. If the elevator car 10 is already on the call input floor, for example, it may not be necessary to move the elevator car 10 in this way. Since the elevator controller 13 can also recognize the elevator operating device 4 operated by the passenger, e.g., it can recognize on which side of the boarding floor the passenger is waiting (e.g., in building section R), this also can determine the cabin door 10a, 10b, which is to be opened towards this side.
Based on the first call input floor and/or the first destination floor ascertained in step A3, an operating mode can be ascertained by the elevator controller 13. The elevator controller 13 can read the corresponding data from the memory device 15 to determine the operating mode. In
In step A5, the elevator controller 13 determines an operating mode from the saved operating modes, which is assigned to the user group ascertained in step A4. The elevator controller 13 reads the corresponding data from the memory device 15 to determine the operating mode.
The memory device can be an internal data memory of the elevator controller 13 or an external memory device which is communicatively connected to the elevator controller 13. The memory device 15 can save a specific operating mode, including the operating parameters, for each of the user groups defined in building 2, e.g., an operating mode for the “occupant” user group and an operating mode for the “commercial person” user group. A person skilled in the art recognizes that additional user groups and their floors or building sections can be defined in the building and documented in the building plan; the “residents” and “commercial person” user groups can be divided into subgroups, for example, for VIP residents or individual commercial companies.
In a step A6, the elevator car 10 is controlled by the elevator controller 13 according to the operating mode ascertained in step A5. As explained herein, elevator calls that are entered by residents on residential floors can be operated more slowly than elevator calls that are entered on commercial floors. The method ends at step A7.
In one exemplary embodiment of the method described in connection with
According to this embodiment, the elevator controller 13 can check whether a received elevator call falls within a validity period of the operating mode ascertained in step A5. If the elevator call falls within the validity period (e.g., the elevator call from a resident is on a workday during business hours), the elevator controller 13 can control the elevator car 10 according to the ascertained operating mode. If this is not the case (e.g., a resident calls the elevator on a weekend or outside of business hours), the elevator controller 13 can control the elevator car 10 according to a standard mode. In standard mode, for example, an operating parameter that contributes to the longer service time can be reset to a default setting or deactivated. In one exemplary embodiment, the operating mode used for a user group can therefore also depend on saved time periods, e.g., commercial users have priority in the morning and residents in the evening.
In an additional embodiment of the method described in connection with
According to this further embodiment, the memory device 15 can save a traffic threshold and a speed variable as defined operating parameters for an operating mode. The elevator controller 13 can determine a current traffic volume in the elevator system 1 and compare it with the traffic threshold of the ascertained operating mode which results from the ascertained first call input floor and/or the first destination floor. An initial speed variable can be defined for the ascertained operating mode. Falling below the traffic threshold of the ascertained operating mode may indicate a low traffic volume. It can then be ascertained whether slower operation of the elevator car 10 is defined for the ascertained operating mode (e.g., with regard to an elevator call by an occupant) compared to another operating mode defined in the elevator system 1 (e.g., with regard to an elevator call by a commercial person). Slower operation can result from a reduced car speed or car acceleration or a longer door open time. If operation is slowed down, an alternative operating mode can be selected for which a second speed variable is defined, whereby operation of the elevator car 10 can be accelerated compared to the first speed variable. In the alternative operating mode, for example, the driving speed can be increased. The elevator car 10 can then be controlled according to the alternative operating mode. If, for example, there is a low volume of traffic during business hours, the elevator call of a resident can also be serviced without the restrictions defined in the assigned operating mode; in particular the elevator call can be operated faster than in the assigned operating mode, for example. If, on the other hand, there is no slowed-down operation (e.g., due to an elevator call from a commercial person), the elevator car 10 can be controlled according to the ascertained operating mode.
According to an additional embodiment, the memory device 15 can save a service time threshold and a call assignment criterion as operating parameters for an operating mode. The elevator controller 13 can ascertain a current service time for servicing an elevator call in the elevator system 1. This can be an average value ascertained over a specified period. The elevator controller 13 can compare the current service time with the service time threshold of the ascertained operating mode which results from the ascertained first call input floor and/or the first destination floor. An initial call assignment criterion can be defined for the ascertained operating mode. Exceeding the service time threshold of the ascertained operating mode may indicate an increased service time, in particular an increased waiting time. This can mean that the duration from time of the call input to exiting the car 10 on the destination floor is longer than average. The elevator controller can ascertain whether a longer service time for servicing an elevator call is defined for the ascertained operating mode (e.g., with regard to an elevator call from an occupant) compared to another operating mode defined in the elevator system 1 (e.g., with regard to an elevator call from a commercial person). If this is the case, an alternative operating mode can be selected for which a second call assignment criterion is defined, which reduces the service time for servicing an elevator call compared to the first service time. In the alternative operating mode, for example, the second call assignment criterion can specify a minimized waiting time or a journey without an intermediate stop. The elevator car 10 can then be controlled according to the alternative operating mode. If this is not the case, the elevator car 10 can be controlled according to the ascertained operating mode.
The method shown by way of example in
Step S5 checks whether there is a second (further) elevator call to be serviced in addition to the first elevator call (step S2). This can occur, for example, if a resident and a (commercial) person in building 2 enter an elevator call at basically the same time.
If there is a second elevator call, the procedure proceeds along the yes branch to step S6. If, however, there is no second elevator call, the procedure proceeds along the no branch to a step S8, in which the elevator car 10 is controlled according to the operating mode ascertained for the first elevator call.
In step S6, the second elevator call is analyzed by the elevator controller 13 in order to ascertain a (second) call input floor and/or a (second) destination floor from the second elevator call. The ascertainment is analogous to step A3 in
In a step S7, a (second) operating mode is ascertained based on the second call input floor and/or the second destination floor. The priority level is also ascertained for this. To ascertain the operating modes and the priority levels in steps S4 and S7, the elevator controller 13 reads the corresponding data from the memory device 15.
If there are two elevator calls, in step S8 the elevator controller 13 ascertains the operating mode that has priority over the other operating mode according to the priority level ascertained for it. The elevator controller 13 controls the elevator car 10 according to the ascertained priority operating mode, wherein the elevator call on which this operating mode is based is serviced with priority. The method ends at step S9.
Further details of the structures and functionalities of the car doors 10a, 10b and the shaft doors 6, 7 and their communication with the elevator controller 13 are described herein. The disclosure described herein, according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments, can be used in particular in conjunction with these car doors 10a, 10b and shaft doors 6, 7 in the mixed-use building 2.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
A person skilled in the art will recognize that the car door 10a, 10b can be configured in different ways. In one embodiment, it can comprise a sliding door whose door leaves, driven by an electric motor, can be moved sideways. In another design, the car door 10a, 10b can be configured as a hinged door or pivoting door; in this design, one or two door leaves can each be pivoted on the car wall. A person skilled in the art therefore understands the term “car door” to mean a door system with one or more door leaves that open and close access to the car 10, irrespective of a specific design.
The shaft doors 6, 7 shown in
In one exemplary embodiment, the shaft doors 6, 7 (or their electrical components) can be communicatively coupled to the elevator controller 13 via the communication network 24; in
In one exemplary embodiment, the car doors 10a, 10b each optionally comprise a door element 9a, 9b, which can assume the at least two states of visual permeability and which controls the elevator controller 13 with an electrical control signal. The term “visual permeability” describes how the view through the door element 9a, 9b is impaired to a greater or lesser extent. With a transparent door element, the view may not substantially be impaired, because it is translucent or transparent. With an opaque door element, the view can be so severely impaired that it allows no or very little light through, making it virtually non-transparent. In addition to these extremes of transparent and opaque, a material can also be translucent, e.g., partially transparent. Depending on the application, it may be sufficient not to completely obstruct the view, but merely to more or less break it up; for example, it may be acceptable or desirable for a person behind a pane of glass to be dimly perceptible (visible) without it being possible to recognize who they are. As explained herein, the visual permeability states can be implemented in various ways.
According to one exemplary embodiment, the door element 9a, 9b can comprise a glass panel which has fixed dimensions ((vertical) length, width, thickness) for the car door 10a, 10b. According to one exemplary embodiment, these dimensions, in particular length and width, can substantially correspond to a dimension of the relevant car door 10a, 10b, e.g., the car door 10a, 10b is substantially a glass door. Depending on the configuration, a metal frame structure, for example, can completely or partially surround the glass panel. In an additional exemplary embodiment, the dimensions of the door element 9a, 9b can be smaller than the dimensions of the respective car door 10a, 10b; e.g., the door element 9a, 9b is located in a part of the car door 10a, 10b, for example, the door element 9a, 9b can completely or partially occupy an upper half of the car door 10a, 10b. A person skilled in the art will recognize that a different division is also possible and that a car door 10a, 10b can comprise a plurality of door elements 9a, 9b.
In a further exemplary embodiment, a door element 9a, 9b can comprise an electromechanically adjustable slat system 30. The slat system 30 has an adjusting mechanism and a plurality of slats (e.g., strip-shaped elements made of metal, plastics, fabric or a combination thereof), which can be rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axis, in order to be able to set a desired angle of rotation; the slats can also be displaceable relative to one another, so that they overlap to a greater or lesser extent. Such slat systems 30 are known to a person skilled in the art, for example, in the field of blinds for windows.
In one exemplary embodiment, the shaft doors 6, 7 are optionally configured in the same way as the car doors 10a, 10b. For example, on a floor L0, L, Ln with two shaft doors 6, 7, the shaft door 6 can be arranged on a first building wall and can comprise an electrically controllable door element 6a. The shaft door 7 can be arranged on a second building wall and can comprise an electrically controllable door element 7a. On the floor L, the shaft door 6 can open in the direction of the part of the building B and the shaft door 7 can open in the direction of the part of the building R. The door elements 6a, 7a likewise can have at least two visual permeability states and are communicatively coupled to the elevator controller 13 in one of the ways described herein, in order to control the door element 6a, 7a of a shaft door 6, 7 to be opened in accordance with the first visual permeability state.
In the exemplary embodiment described here, each door element 6a, 7a, 9a, 9b comprises a special glass, the visual permeability of which can be changed as a whole by being controlled by an electrical control signal, the control being effected in particular by an applied electrical voltage. A suitable voltage (e.g., in terms of voltage value and frequency) can be provided by the elevator controller 13 or by a voltage source arranged on or near the doors 6, 7, 10a, 10b. In the latter case, the elevator controller 13 can control the voltage sources. Depending on the electrical voltage applied, the glass is transparent or opaque or non-transparent. The properties “transparent” and “opaque” refer to the range of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to humans. In
This type of glass is also known as smart, dynamic or switchable glass. This can be an electrochromic glass or a liquid crystal glass, for example, wherein the light transmission of these glasses can be changed by applying an electrical voltage. Without voltage applied, the liquid crystal glass can be opaque, for example. For example, US 2021/302770 A1 describes a modular wall system comprising a frame and a smart glass pane. An electrical connecting element is attached to a cross strut of the frame, which is connected to an electrical connecting element on the smart glass pane. The wall system also comprises a power connection to receive a direct current (DC) input voltage from a power source. An inverter converts the DC input voltage into an alternating voltage (AC), which is applied to the smart glass pane.
The design of the car doors 10a, 10b and the shaft doors 6, 7 with the aforementioned door elements 6a, 7a, 9a, 9b is optional, as mentioned herein. An elevator system 1 can be designed with or without such door elements 6a, 7a, 9a, 9b, including their corresponding control. A person skilled in the art recognizes that the door elements 6a, 7a, 9a, 9b in a mixed-use building 2 can help separate the different uses or user groups.
The position determining device 20 shown in
In one exemplary embodiment, the elevator operating devices 4 can be supplied with electrical power via the communication network 22; this is also known as “Power over Ethernet” (PoE). If an elevator operating device is arranged in the car 10 (e.g., if, according to a control technology of the elevator system 1, a desired destination floor is to be input in the car 10), a corresponding communication line can be provided in one exemplary embodiment for communication and for supplying power to the elevator operating device.
In the situation shown in
According to one exemplary embodiment, passengers can be prevented from seeing or looking into parts of the building (B, R) that are unfamiliar to the passengers in the above-mentioned building with mixed use. The controller 11 can control the door elements 9a, 9b of the car doors 10a, 10b and the shaft door elements 6a, 7a of the shaft doors 6, 7 in such a way that, for example, a resident cannot see onto a commercial floor during the ride or when the car stops. This can also apply in an analogous manner to a person who uses a commercial floor. In one exemplary embodiment, the shaft door elements 6a, 7a of the shaft doors 6, 7 can be opaque, except if an elevator car 10 with a car door 10a, 10b to be opened is located behind it or shortly before the elevator car 10 arrives. The shaft door element 6a, 7a of a shaft door 6, 7 to be opened can be in a transparent state when the elevator car 10 stops. If the door elements 6a, 7a, 9a, 9b of the doors to be opened (6, 7, 10a, 10b) are transparent, boarding passengers can see whether passengers are disembarking, for example; this also applies in the opposite direction.
In addition, in the case of shaft doors 6, 7, which are arranged opposite the car doors 10a, 10b, the relevant door elements 6a, 7a, 9a, 9b can be controlled in such a way that at no time is it possible to see across the elevator shaft 18 to the other part of the building. When using the elevator system 1, a resident therefore may not see that the ride passes, begins or ends on a floor that is used wholly or partially for commercial purposes. The privacy of the various user groups can therefore be preserved.
The resident in the above example can input an elevator call on a residential floor or in an entrance hall, in order to travel from there to the entrance hall or to a residential floor. The elevator controller 13 can recognize (e.g., in conjunction with the building plan) on which floor (boarding floor) and on which elevator operating device 4 the resident inputs the elevator call, and can cause the elevator car 10 to move to the boarding floor. If the elevator car 10 is already on the boarding floor, such moving of the elevator car 10 is unnecessary. Since the elevator controller 13 can also recognize the elevator operating device 4 operated by the resident, e.g., it recognizes on which side of the boarding floor the resident is waiting (e.g., in the part of the building R), it can control the car door 10a, 10b to be opened to this side. The elevator controller 13 can control the door element 9a, 9b of this car door 10a, 10b in such a way that the door element 9a, 9b is transparent if the elevator car 10 arrives at the boarding floor and the car door 10a, 10b is opened, or if the car door 10a, 10b of the elevator car 10 already standing there is opened. The door element 9a, 9b of the other car door 10a, 10b, on the other hand, can be controlled so that it is opaque. If the elevator car 10 is then ready for boarding, e.g., the shaft door 6b and the car door 10a are open, the resident can enter the car 10 and can then be transported to the desired destination floor. Depending on the control technology, the destination floor can be transmitted to the elevator controller 13 in conjunction with a destination call or a car call.
Position determination can be used to adjust the visual permeability settings during a ride, e.g., to ensure privacy. In one exemplary embodiment, the use of a floor or part of a building defined in the building plan can be used to determine whether the ride passes at least one floor or part of a building that is defined as visible or not visible in the building plan. The door elements 9a, 9b of the car door 10a, 10b and/or the shaft door elements 6a, 7a can be controlled while the car is moving in the first or second visual permeability state, depending on the use defined in the building plan. Whether a floor or part of a building is visible or not can be determined by individual persons or by a building manager. For example, commercially used floors may never be visible during the ride; this may apply to a ride by a resident who passes a commercial floor, but also to other persons (commercial users). In one exemplary embodiment, the visibility or non-visibility can be defined specifically for the user groups; for example, the “residents” user group can see the residential floors from the elevator car, but not the commercial floors, and vice versa.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21216710.0 | Dec 2021 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/083634 | 11/29/2022 | WO |
