RU2378179C1 - Lift group system control method, lift group system and scale objects transportation method with lift group system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: machine-building.

SUBSTANCE: invention related to lift-and-carry devices, particularly to lift control systems. Lift control method concludes in receiving to data input device function of incoming signal form the passenger about having scale object which needs to be transported with help of group lift system, assigning a particular lift, which is capable to allocate the passenger with the scale object. The lift group system, realising this method contain assignment data input device, which has interface for input data regarding a floor and scale object key, distributing controller for assigning a lift to every passenger according to assignment data and assigning to every passenger with caring scale object the nearest lift, capable to allocate the passenger and the scale object. Method of scale object transportation with the group lift system concludes receiving initial input data, indication scale object initial floor, receiving the secondary data indicating scale object assigning floor, every lift form group lift system current condition data analyses and assigning a lift to the scale object, which is capable to allocate passenger and the scale object.

EFFECT: passenger transportation and group lift system efficiency increase.

20 cl, 5 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of elevator management, in particular to managing a group elevator system to facilitate the transport of large items.

State of the art

Conventional group elevator systems include elevator call modules located in the lobby of each floor next to the elevators. Typically, elevator call modules include up and down buttons that are pressed by passengers when the elevator is called. Each elevator call module is assigned a network address used by the controller to map the elevator call module to the floor on which it is located. When you press one of the buttons of the elevator call module, the elevator controller selects the elevator that can most efficiently deliver passengers in the desired direction. The elevator controller determines which floor the elevator should be directed to depending on the network address of the elevator call module on which the button was pressed.

Recently, elevator systems with the input of destination data have been commissioned. In the destination data entry system, passengers register destination floors on the destination data input device prior to the destination of the elevator car. The group system of elevators assigns each passenger an elevator that can most effectively deliver it to the desired destination floor. Passengers register destination floors with destination data input devices, which can be a numeric keypad or touch screen.

Large items to be transported by elevator from one floor to another can occupy a significant amount or use a significant part of the maximum nominal load of the elevator car, which can lead to disruption of the efficient transportation of passengers and other goods in the group elevator system, as the elevator controller may not determine that the passenger requesting the appointment carries a large item. For example, in a typical destination data entry system, when a passenger with a large item on the destination floor enters the destination, the controller can assign him an elevator that already includes a large number of passengers. Similarly, when assigning an empty or nearly empty elevator to a passenger with a large item, the controller can then add passengers to the elevator. The result may be overflow or overload of the elevator car or passengers will be forced to re-enter the destination data and wait for another elevator.

Disclosure of invention

This invention is directed to the management of elevators in a group system of elevators to facilitate the transport of large items. The destination data input device receives an input signal from the passenger indicating that the passenger has a large item to be transported in a group elevator system, and then assigns a passenger with a large item an elevator that can accommodate a passenger and a large item.

The above invention is achieved by the fact that the present invention provides a method for controlling elevators in a group elevator system, comprising receiving on the input device the destination signal of an input signal from a passenger that a passenger has a large item for transportation in a group elevator system, and assigning a passenger with a large elevator item able to accommodate a passenger and a large object.

When assigning an elevator, the number of passengers assigned to each elevator in the group elevator system can be determined, and the appointment of a passenger with a large object with the closest elevator with the number of passengers assigned to this elevator can be less than the limit for the number of assigned passengers.

In the method according to the present invention, the number of passengers assigned to the elevator assigned to a passenger with a large item may be further limited until a passenger with a large item is delivered to the destination floor.

The above reception may include receiving a signal when a passenger presses a key of a large item on the destination data input device.

The above reception may include receiving from the passenger an input signal with a confirmation code on the destination data input device.

In the method according to the present invention, in addition, after said reception, an input signal about the destination floor can be received from the passenger on the destination data input device.

The present invention also provides a system of a group of elevators capable of transporting passengers in certain groups to one of the available floors, including a destination data input device installed on at least one floor, having an interface for a passenger to enter destination floor data and equipped with a large key item for use by a passenger carrying a large item in one of the elevators, and a distribution controller for assigning an elevator to each passenger based on the input data about the appointments and for assigning to a passenger with a large object, having pressed the key of a large object, the nearest elevator capable of accommodating a passenger and a large object.

The distribution controller can determine the number of passengers assigned to each elevator in the group system of elevators and assign a passenger with a large item an elevator without other passengers assigned to this elevator.

The elevator group system of the present invention may include a data validation device that facilitates passenger confirmation of data after pressing a large item key to prevent misuse of a large item key.

The data validation device may include a keypad on the assignment data input device to facilitate entering a confirmation code.

The data validation device may include access card recognition devices to facilitate the passenger's use of the access card.

The destination data input device may include a communication unit consisting of a display and an acoustic transducer.

The present invention also provides a method for facilitating the transportation of large items in a group elevator system, including receiving the first input data pointing to the initial floor of a large item in a group elevator system, receiving a second input data indicating a destination floor of a large item in a group elevator system, determining data about the current state of each elevator in the group system of elevators and the appointment of a large object elevator that can accommodate a passenger and a large object.

The above method of transporting large items in a group elevator system according to the present invention may further include sending the designated elevator to the ground floor.

The above method of transporting large items in a group system of elevators according to the present invention may further include limiting the loads assigned to the elevator assigned to a large item until a large item is delivered to the destination floor.

The specified purpose for a large item may include the appointment of an elevator with a load less than the limit value of the assigned load.

The first input data and the second input data may be received at the destination data input device.

Reception of the first input data may include receiving a signal by pressing the key of a large object on the destination data input device.

Receiving the first input may include receiving a confirmation code on the destination data input device.

Said determination of the current status of each elevator in a group elevator system may include determining the location of each elevator and the load assigned to each elevator in the group elevator system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 presents a perspective view of a group system of elevators with the input of destination data.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a keypad used in a group elevator system with input of destination data shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a touch screen used in a group elevator system with input of destination data shown in FIG. 1.

Figure 4 presents a flowchart of the elevator control process in a group elevator system with the input of destination data to facilitate the transportation of a large item.

5 is a diagram of a group elevator system illustrating the process of assigning a group elevator system to a passenger with a large elevator item.

The implementation of the invention

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a group elevator system 10, based on the input of destination data, in building 12. Building 12 includes five floors, including the first floor with lobby L, second floor F2, third floor F3, fourth floor F4 and fifth floor F5 . The group elevator system 10 includes three elevators 14a, 14b and 14c, each of which is capable of delivering passengers to any of the floors in building 12. Although the diagram shows three elevators 14a-14c and five floors L and F2-F5, it is obvious that the present invention It can be used for group elevator systems with input of destination data, including any number of elevators with any number of floors.

The operation of each elevator is controlled by one specialized controller of the elevator car. In particular, the elevator 14a is controlled by the elevator car controller 16a, the elevator 14b is controlled by the elevator car controller 16b and the elevator 14c is controlled by the elevator car controller 16c. The controllers 16a-16c of the elevator car are connected and interact with each other through a closed communication system 18.

The elevator car controllers 16a-16c control the elevators 14a-14c, respectively, based on the elevator control data received from the distributor controller 20. The distributor controller 20 is connected to the elevator car controllers through a closed communication system 18. The distributor controller 20 processes the destination input data received via the communication lines (not shown) and receives elevator control data based in part on destination input data.

The destination data is entered by the passenger on the destination data input devices. Destination data entry devices can be located next to elevators on each floor. They are used by passengers to enter the desired destination floor by pressing the number keys on the data entry device. Alternatively, destination input devices may not be installed on all floors, but two-button elevator call modules are installed on the remaining floors. Destination data input devices may also include keys labeled for specific areas of the building so that the passenger who pressed the labeled key can be delivered directly to the area labeled on the key. In addition, destination input devices can also include one key for each floor in the building.

Alternatively, the destination data input device may include a device for receiving destination input from an item or device held by the passenger. For example, the destination data input device may include a pass card reader, which allows a passenger to register the destination input data by passing a pass card (storing information about the passenger’s destination floor) through the pass card reader. The destination data input device may also include an electrical converter or receiver for receiving a passenger destination floor signal from a surrendering device available to the passenger.

In the group elevator system 10, destination data input devices include keypads 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e and touch displays 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d and 35e, as well as digital circuits that facilitate communication between destination data input devices and distribution controller 20 The keypads 30a will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, and the touch screen 35a will be more fully described with reference to FIG. 3. Digital circuits related to each keypad 30 and touch screen 35 are connected to the distribution controller 20 via a data line (not shown). The use of keypads 30 and touch displays 35 to facilitate the transport of large items will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Obviously, throughout the building 12, any combination of keypads 30 and touch displays 35, as well as two-button elevator call modules, can be used.

The scheduling of the elevators 14a-14c is coordinated by the distribution controller 20 based in part on the destination input data entered on the keypads 30 and touch displays 35. The elevators 14a-14c are independent of each other, but are interconnected when serving the total population of passengers. Only an elevator 14 is provided for each passenger for servicing. After the passenger has entered information about their destination floor on one of the keypads 30 or one of the touch displays 35, the passenger is directed to the elevator that can most effectively deliver it to the destination. Distribution controller 20 communicates with elevator car controllers 16a-16c to determine the performance (e.g., location, door position, etc.) of elevators 14a-14c when assigning any elevator to passengers. When passengers enter the designated elevator, the elevator car controller controls the elevator so as to stop on the floors requested by the passengers of the designated elevator and on the floors designated by the controller 20 to receive additional passengers to the designated elevator. Such grouping of passengers allows them to get most efficiently to the destination floor with the fewest stops compared to conventional elevator systems.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a keypad 30 used in a group elevator system with input of destination data shown in FIG. 1. The keypad 30 includes a display 40, keys 42, including a large object (LI) key 44, and an electro-acoustic transducer or speaker 46. In one embodiment, the display 40 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or LED display.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a touch screen 35 used in a group elevator system with input of destination data shown in FIG. 1. The touch display 35 includes a screen 50 for displaying various interactive keys used by passengers to control the group system of elevators 10. The data of the screen 50 is configured depending on the building in which the screen is used. In the shown embodiment, the screen 50 includes an active display 52 and a key 56, including a key 58 of a large object (LI).

The interface for the passenger and the function of the keypad 30 and the touch display 35 are the same, so they will be described in parallel. When a passenger wants the group elevator system to deliver him from one floor to another, he can enter the desired destination floor using the keys 42 on the keypad 30 or the keys 56 on the touch screen 35. For example, if the passenger wants to be delivered from the first floor with lobby L to floor F4, then he presses the "4" key on the keypad 30a or on the touch screen 35 installed on the first floor with lobby L. Using the destination data input device, the destination input data is sent to the distribution controller 20.

After receiving the input data of the destination, the distribution controller 20 determines the location of the elevator cabs 14a-14c based on the information received from the controllers 16a-16c, and assigns the passenger one of the elevators 14a-14c that will most efficiently deliver all passengers to the desired destination floor. The distribution controller 20 sends a signal to the destination data input device (i.e., the keypad 30 or the touch screen 35) used by the passenger to input the destination input data. This signal can then be used to inform the passenger of the designated elevator. Data on the designated elevator can be presented on the display 40 of the keypad 30 and / or using the electro-acoustic transducer, or on the screen 50 of the touchscreen 35. For example, if the passenger uses the keypad installed next to the elevator 14c to enter the destination input data and the controller 20 If the passenger assigns the elevator 14a, then the letter "A" appears on the display 40. An arrow or some other direction symbol may also be displayed on display 40 to indicate to the passenger the direction of travel to the designated elevator.

When a passenger wants to transport a large item (that is, occupying a large volume or having a large weight) from one floor to another in a group system of elevators, the controller 20 checks the status of all elevators and assigns the passenger an elevator with sufficient free space and sufficient carrying capacity to accommodate passenger with a large item. In addition, the controller 20 limits the number of passengers assigned to the elevator carrying a passenger with a large item until a passenger with a large item is delivered to the destination floor.

Figure 4 presents a block diagram of the process of managing elevators in a group system of elevators with the input of destination data to facilitate the transportation of large items. First, a passenger with a large item enters input data indicating that he wants to transport a large item in the group system of elevators 10. Input data received by the distribution controller 20 (step 60) can be entered by pressing the desired key on the destination data input device (for example, a 44 LI key on one of the keypads 30 or a 58 LI key on one of the touch displays 35). After pressing the key of a large item on the destination data input device, the destination data input device may prompt the passenger with the large item, as described above, to enter the destination floor on the destination data input device.

When a passenger with a large object presses a key of a large object, the passenger may be additionally asked to enter confirmation data. Confirmation data received by the distribution controller 20 (step 62) can be used to prevent abuse or misuse of the transport function of large items. For example, a passenger may need to enter a numeric confirmation code on keys 42 or 56 that he is allowed to call a specific elevator to transport a large item. Alternatively, a passenger may need to use a pass card or activate a key switch using an access card. If the confirmation input data were not entered or were entered incorrectly, the request for transportation of a large item will be ignored by the distribution controller 20.

The distribution controller 20 then determines the load already assigned to each elevator 14a-14c (step 64). In particular, when requesting transportation of a large item, the distribution controller 20 determines the number of passengers assigned to each elevator 14a-14c. For example, the distribution controller 20 may determine the number of passengers assigned to each elevator 14a-14c by tracking all passengers in the elevator system based on the entry floor and destination floor of each passenger. In a group elevator system 10 including a destination data input device on each floor, the distribution controller 20 can track all passengers in the elevator system by storing the registered destination floor of each passenger and the starting floor on which each passenger has registered the destination floor. In a group elevator system with a mixed configuration (i.e., in a group elevator system that includes both destination data input devices and two-button elevator call modules), the distribution controller 20 can estimate the number of passengers by comparing each call from a two-button elevator call module with one passenger. This estimate can be adjusted by measuring changes in the weight of the load, determined, for example, using load weight sensors for each elevator.

Distribution controller 20 uses the assigned load data to assign one of the elevators 14a to 14c capable of (i.e., having sufficient free space and sufficient carrying capacity) to accommodate a large object (step 66). In one embodiment, the distribution controller 20 assigns a passenger with a large item an elevator that will be empty or nearly empty upon arrival at the front floor of a passenger with a large item, which not only prevents the elevator assigned to a passenger with a large item from overflowing or overloading, but also saves the passenger from repeated requests in order to find an elevator with sufficient carrying capacity that can accommodate a passenger and a large object.

Distribution controller 20 also limits the number of passengers assigned to the elevator assigned to a passenger with a large item until a passenger with a large item is delivered to the destination floor. This prevents the possibility of assigning a lift with limited carrying capacity to passengers due to its purpose for transporting a large item.

5 is a diagram of a group elevator system 100 illustrating a process for assigning a group elevator system with a large LI item to a passenger 102. The group elevator system 100 includes elevators 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d including elevator cabs 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d responsibly. Each of the elevator car 106a-106d serves floors F1-F10. The distribution controller 120, the function of which is similar to the function of the distribution controller 120 in FIG. 1, processes the destination input data and outputs elevator control data based on the destination input data. It should be noted that although only one elevator car 106 is shown associated with each elevator 104, any of the elevators 104 may also include several elevator cars.

When passenger 102 presses a key of a large item on the destination data input device (i.e., on the keypad 30 or touch screen 35), the distribution controller 120 receives data indicating that the passenger on floor F6 wants to transport a large item. The destination data input device may then further prompt the passenger to enter confirmation input data. After that, the destination data input device asks the passenger 102 about the destination floor for the passenger 102 and a large item. For example, passenger 102 wants to go to floor F8 and presses the “8” key on the destination data input device.

When the distribution controller 120 receives information that there is a passenger with a large item on floor F6 who wants to travel to floor F8, the distribution controller 120 evaluates each elevator car with respect to the assigned load, location and direction of travel and determines which elevator car 106 should Assign to a passenger with a large item. Distribution controller 120 determines the number of stops each elevator car must make in order to transfer passengers in each elevator car to their respective destination floors, as well as the number of stops each elevator car must make in order to transfer passengers assigned to each elevator car, but not yet included in it. In addition, if the elevator car was assigned to transport a passenger 102 and a large LI item, then the distribution controller 120 sets the number of passengers that will be in each elevator car along the entire route. To prevent overfilling or congestion, the number of passengers can be compared with a reconfigurable limit value and, if the number of passengers exceeds a reconfigurable limit value, the elevator car cannot be selected for assignment to passenger 102 and a large LI item.

Distribution controller 120 then assigns an elevator car 106 suitable for accommodating passenger 102 and a large LI item. If there are several suitable elevator cabs 106, then the distribution controller 120 designates an elevator car having the smallest number of passengers assigned to a given elevator car and capable of transporting a passenger with a large object most efficiently. If there are no suitable elevator cabs 106, then the distribution controller 120 will assign a passenger with a large object to the elevator car, which will be freed first (based on available requests). Distribution controller 120 will not assign additional passengers to this elevator car until it carries a passenger with a large item.

For example, in a group elevator system 100, an elevator car 106a is assigned to transport passengers 110 from floor F5 to floor F10. As a result, by the time the elevator car reaches floor F6 (the location of the passenger 102 and the large item LI), there will already be passengers 110 in the elevator car. The elevator car 106b is located on floor F5 and since it is closest to the passenger's location 102 and large item LI (level L6), it is assigned to passengers 112 and carries them to the destination floor F9. The elevator car 106c is empty, but it was assigned to passengers 114 on floor F7 to transport them to floor F9. If the elevator car was also assigned to passenger 102 and a large LI item, the elevator car would pick up passengers 114 after passenger 102 and a large LI item. And finally, the elevator car 106d is empty and not assigned to other passengers.

After that, the distribution controller 120, tracking the number of passengers assigned to each elevator, determines which elevators are suitable for transporting a passenger 102 and a large item LI. If the reconfigurable limit value is set to the highest number of passengers, then several elevator cabs 106 are suitable for transporting a passenger 102 and a large item LI. However, since the elevator car 106d has the least number of other assigned passengers, the elevator car 106d is preferred among the suitable elevator cabs 106. Accordingly, the elevator car 106d is the most suitable candidate in the elevator system 100 for transporting a passenger 102 and a large item LI from the ground floor F6 to destination floor F8.

The distribution controller 120 then assigns the elevator car 106d to the passenger 102 and the large item LI. If there are additional passengers along with passenger 102 and a large LI item on floor F6, then distribution controller 120 may designate any of the elevator cabs 106a, 106b, 106c and 106d to transport additional passengers to their destination floor. As a result, passenger 102 and a large item are assigned an empty or nearly empty elevator for transportation from one floor to another.

So, the present invention is directed to the management of elevators in a group system of elevators to facilitate the transportation of large items. The destination data input device receives an input signal from the passenger indicating that the passenger has a large item to be transported in a group elevator system, and then assigns a passenger with a large item an elevator that can accommodate a passenger and a large item. After the distribution controller receives a group of elevators of passenger data with a large object, the distribution controller can assign a passenger with a large object an elevator with several other passengers or without passengers, which prevents overflow or overload. In addition, passenger inconvenience is reduced, since the distribution controller limits the number of passengers assigned to the elevator to appointments to a passenger with a large item.

Although the invention has been described with reference to examples and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that individual particular changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A method of controlling elevators in a group system of elevators, including receiving on the input device the destination data of an input signal from a passenger about a passenger having a large item for transportation in a group system of elevators, and assigning a passenger with a large object an elevator that can accommodate a passenger and a large object. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the purpose of the elevator includes determining the number of passengers assigned to each elevator in the group system of elevators, and assigning a passenger with a large item the closest elevator with the number of passengers assigned to this elevator is less than the limit value of the number of assigned passengers . 3. The method according to claim 1, in which the number of passengers assigned to the elevator assigned to the passenger with a large item is additionally limited until a passenger with a large item is delivered to the destination floor. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said reception comprises receiving a signal when a passenger presses a key of a large item on a destination data input device. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said reception comprises receiving from the passenger an input signal with a confirmation code on the destination data input device. 6. The method according to claim 1, in which additionally after the specified reception, an input signal about the destination floor is received from the passenger on the destination data input device. 7. A system of a group of elevators capable of transporting passengers in certain groups to one of the available floors, including a destination data input device installed on at least one floor, having an interface for a passenger to enter destination floor information and equipped with a key for a large item for use a passenger transporting a large item in one of the elevators, and a distribution controller for assigning an elevator to each passenger based on destination data and for assigning a passenger with a large item Ohm, who pressed the key of a large object, the nearest elevator that can accommodate a passenger and a large object. 8. The system according to claim 7, in which the distribution controller determines the number of passengers assigned to each elevator in the group system of elevators, and assigns a passenger with a large item an elevator without other passengers assigned to this elevator. 9. The system according to claim 7, which further includes a device for confirming the reliability of the data, facilitating the passenger to confirm the data after pressing the key of a large item to prevent improper use of the key of a large item. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the data validation device includes a keypad on the destination data input device to facilitate entering a confirmation code. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the data validation device includes an access card recognition device to facilitate passenger use of the access card. 12. The system according to claim 7, in which the destination data input device includes a communication unit consisting of a display and an acoustic transducer. 13. A method for transporting large items in a group system of elevators, including receiving the first input data pointing to the initial floor of a large item in a group system of elevators, receiving a second input data pointing to the destination floor of a large item in a group system of elevators, determining data on the current status of each elevator in the group system of elevators and the appointment of a large object elevator that can accommodate a passenger and a large object. 14. The method according to item 13, which further includes sending the designated elevator to the ground floor. 15. The method according to item 13, which further includes limiting the loads assigned to the elevator assigned to a large item until a large item is delivered to the destination floor. 16. The method according to item 13, in which the specified appointment includes the appointment of a large object lift with a load less than the limit value of the assigned load. 17. The method according to item 13, in which the first input data and the second input data are received at the destination data input device. 18. The method according to 17, in which the reception of the first input data includes receiving a signal when you press the key of a large object on the input device destination data. 19. The method according to 17, in which the reception of the first input data includes receiving a confirmation code on the destination data input device. 20. The method according to item 13, in which the definition includes determining the location of each elevator and the load assigned to each elevator in the group system of elevators.

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