EP2262711B1 - Destination-call-controlled lift system and method for controlling a lift system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an elevator installation with at least one elevator car, which is destination-controlled by a controller in a first operating state. In each case at least one display means and an input means for displaying and inputting a travel order are arranged by a user in the floors.

Destination call-controlled elevator systems are known. They are used above all in larger buildings in which a large number of travel orders are only a limited number of elevator cars opposite.

Destination call-controlled elevator systems have the advantage that the control of the elevator system by an evaluation of the destination calls made in the individual floors is able to select from a plurality of elevator cars that most suitable for the fastest possible execution of the travel order. In other words, the destination calls in the controller are linked with each other in such a way that the processing of all travel orders is optimized. Thus, the resources of an elevator system are optimally utilized and the user is brought to the destination in the fastest possible way.

Here, the different destinations of the different users are collected in the different floors and evaluated by the controller. Furthermore, the position or direction of travel of each elevator car of the elevator system are detected by the controller and linked with the travel orders via suitable evaluation algorithms so that an optimized, for example, in terms of travel time operation is ensured. The basic requirement of such a destination call control is thus that the travel wishes of the user are recorded before departure and evaluated by a control means of the control.

For a destination-controlled elevator system to function reliably, it is designed so that the user, when he is in the elevator car, can not issue any travel orders to the control of the elevator system. In other words, in the elevator cars only display means but no input means are made available to the user. The user must therefore select his destination before departure. Once he has entered the elevator car, he is bound to this selection until reaching the destination. EP 1864 933 A1 discloses such destination call control

Such a destination call control can be undesirable in certain situations, in particular if an elevator user wants to serve a whole series of stops with the same elevator, for example, if he is to deliver or pick up goods or mail as a mail deliverer of a building in various floors.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a destination-controlled elevator system, which makes it possible with one and the same elevator car to approach several stops in a row. Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of specifying a method for controlling such an elevator installation.

The solution of this object is achieved with the elevator system according to claim 1 and the method for controlling an elevator system according to claim 20 Preferred developments are specified in the dependent claims.

The elevator installation according to the invention therefore differs from the known elevator installations of the type mentioned above in that at least the input means arranged in the floors are designed in such a way that a special drive can be assigned to the control means. In addition, a combined display and input means is arranged in at least one intended for carrying out special trips elevator car. This is designed so that it is brought from a display mode in a display and input mode after receiving a special travel order.

By input means are here keys, control buttons, switches, proximity sensors or the like to understand that allow the user to issue a command to the controller. Under a display means is in turn to understand a means by which the user information is conveyed. In the display mode, therefore, only information is displayed to the user, while in the display and input mode, the user can both receive information from the controller and issue commands to the controller using the combined display and input means.

All elevator cars of the elevator installation preferably have combined display and input means. So all elevator cars and not just one for special trips can be used. Further, an elevator car selected by the control means with the execution of the special journey is then controllable separately from the other elevator cars.

For this purpose, the elevator car selected after commissioning the special trip for carrying out the special journey is expediently brought to a second operating state. In this second operating state, the elevator car is thus no longer operated destination controlled. It also makes sense if the elevator car assigned with the special drive can be controlled individually and separately from other elevator cars by the user via the combined display and input means arranged in the elevator car.

It is particularly expedient if the elevator car assigned to the special voyage is controllable such that at least one destination is selectable by the user in the elevator car within the special voyage order. In other words, that means that the user places a special travel order prior to departure but does not yet define a specific destination. Once in the cab, the combined display and input means is placed in a display and input mode so that the user can define one or more destinations for his or her special order as desired. It is useful if he can also remove defined destinations again to correct possible operating errors.

Expediently, the elevator car assigned with the special journey can be controlled by the combined display and input means arranged in the elevator car until the special travel order has been completed by an input of the user. In other words, that means that the user has to manually cancel the special-purpose status so that the elevator installation and in particular the elevator car can again change to its destination-controlled standard operating status.

However, so that an elevator car commissioned with a special voyage is not withdrawn for such a long time by such a special order of the destination call control, it may also be useful if the elevator car assigned to the special voyage is only controllable by the combined display and input means arranged in the elevator car, until the special mission is completed by exceeding a time limit or reaching a certain number of destinations. Because after completion of the special mission order the elevator car should be operated as possible destination controlled again, so that the elevator system uses its resources optimally. Then it is useful if the arranged in the elevator car combined input and display means is switched after completion of the special travel order in a pure display mode.

Alternatively or additionally, however, the elevator car assigned with the special trip can also be controllable by the combined display and input means arranged in the elevator car until the special travel order has been completed by reaching a specific destination.

In addition, the elevator car commissioned with the special voyage is blocked for other users for the duration of the special voyage order. For example, the elevator car may remain in a floor or stop until the authorized user makes a corresponding entry. It is also conceivable that the doors of the elevator car are automatically closed after leaving the authorized for the special trip user. Then, the elevator car expediently remains closed in the stop until the user authorized for the special journey authorizes himself correspondingly at the input means arranged in the floor.

Preferably, the combined display and input means is a touch screen. A touch screen has the advantage that only a single means in the elevator car must be arranged to allow display and input functions in the cabin. In addition, it is possible with such a touch screen to show in a display a variety of information for the user and at the same time to give him opportunities for interaction with the controller, for example by pressing certain areas of the touch screen, in the controls be presented stylized.

Thus, during the journey in the destination-controlled operating state, information about the current floor level, the current direction of travel and the next destinations can be displayed. The current level and the direction of travel should always be displayed regardless of the operating status. In the destination call mode, it makes sense to display the destinations in a tabular form. In Sonderbetriebsstatus, so if a special mission has been discontinued, the destinations can also all be displayed simultaneously, in which case each selected destination is represented, for example, as a color acknowledged button.

It is also conceivable that advertising, messages or instructions are displayed to the user. In addition, there is an overall very uniform appearance. The display and input means can be adapted very flexibly to different needs and technical developments by being easily reprogrammable. Finally, a hitherto usually additionally arranged classic control panel account in the elevator car. This saves on the one hand costs for a control panel, which is rarely used in most cases, and on the other hand has the advantage that relatively little area of the elevator car are provided with controls or input means.

Within a special travel order, it makes sense then that in the combined display and input means of the elevator car, the possible destinations are displayed so that one or more destinations and preferably also their order can be selected by the user. It is also possible to represent the building structures and / or tenant or user structures graphically prepared so that the user can find his way around the building or in the elevator installation more quickly.

In a further development, a special travel input means for entering a special travel order is provided in the floor and / or in the elevator car, separate from the input and / or display means. This is expediently designed such that it allows an input restriction for a specific user group. This is preferably a key switch, a card reader and / or a reader for biometric features.

The control means expediently has a control controller. This executes the evaluations for the controller. In a further development, the input and / or display means arranged in the at least one elevator car and in the at least one floor are connected via an Ethernet network and can be administered via a server. The server thus takes over the information management. Thus, standard components of computer technology can be used to make the elevator system. This reduces the costs. Appropriately, such a network has at least one switch via which the different input means but also the display means in the floors as well as the combined display and input means of the elevator cars are integrated into the network.

In terms of the method, the object is achieved by the control means, after receiving a special travel order, selecting an elevator car for carrying out the special travel order, optionally driving it to the desired floor, a combined display and input means arranged in the car for carrying out the special travel order from a single-display mode into a combined display and input mode. This is done at the latest when the elevator car has reached the floor from which the special journey is to begin. Preferably, the elevator car commissioned with the special drive is controlled individually by the user via the combined display and input means arranged in the elevator car. Then it makes sense such that while the elevator car is in the cab-controlled special-drive mode, at least one further elevator cab is operated in a destination call mode. This ensures that during the special trip, other users can use the elevator system in the manner known to them.

Preferably, the elevator car commissioned with the special journey is controlled so that within the special travel order at least one further destination in the elevator car is selected by the user himself. This therefore allows him to already specify a first destination when discontinuing the special travel order and to decide only in the cabin for the extended destination. This speeds up the input and operation.

Conveniently, information about the current floor level, the current direction of travel and the next destinations are displayed outside a special trip order in combined display and input means, so the users and passengers of the elevator system are always informed about the most important things. It is also advantageous if within a special trip order in the combined display and input means of the elevator car, the possible destinations are displayed so that one or more destinations and preferably also their order are freely selectable by the user. This simplifies the operation for the authorized user for the special trip. It also allows him to create a route tailored to his individual needs by entering destination sequences. This can e.g. especially useful if it is a delivery of goods, must be taken out of the elevator relatively complicated and poorly accessible packaged individual items. For example, the user entitled to the special trip can skip individual floors, for example, first of all, if he wishes to travel to floors in which he would like to deliver goods that are initially more easily accessible to him. If he is then able to transport the goods, which are still difficult to access at first, out of the elevator car, he drives into the skipped level.

Since special travel orders affect the capacity of the elevator system naturally, it makes sense if special travel orders are only accepted by the controller after the successful proof of an authorization. This ensures that special travel orders can only be triggered by a relatively limited group of people and that there is no undue disruption to plant capacity.

Further, the activation of a special order can be carried out in two stages. In this case, the special trip is first requested via a first special-service input device arranged in a floor. If the elevator car has arrived at the appropriate stop, the user can prove the authorization to carry out the special trip after entering the elevator car. For this purpose, an access restricted, second special driving input means is arranged in the elevator car. This variant has the advantage that the special trip on the start floor is only requested, which is very fast. In the second step, the special mission can be configured individually by the user while driving the elevator car. This measure therefore increases the operating speed and also the operational reliability of the elevator installation, since it is not necessary to handle the access authorization keys in the presence of unauthorized persons at a landing terminal.

Fig. 1

zeigt den schematischen Aufbau der Steuerung des erfindungsgemäßen Aufzugssystems;

Fig. 2

ein Eingabe- und Anzeigemittel im Zielrufmodus: und

Fig. 3

ein Eingabe- und Anzeigemittel im Rufeingabemodus einer Sonderfahrt.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing.

Fig. 1

shows the schematic structure of the control of the elevator system according to the invention;

Fig. 2

an input and display means in the destination call mode: and

Fig. 3

an input and display means in the call input mode of a special trip.

This in Fig. 1 Rectangle 1 shown in dash-dot lines symbolizes an elevator car of an elevator installation according to the invention. Within this elevator car 1, a touch screen 2 is arranged. The touch screen 2 is connected via a data link 3 with the control means 4 also indicated only by dash-dotted lines. The control means 4 in turn has a control controller 5 and a switch 6. To the switch 6 in the embodiment shown here two arranged in separate floors landing terminals 7 and 8 are connected, both having input means and display means.

The input and / or display means 2, 7 and 8 together with the control controller 5, the switch 6 and a server 11 form an Ethernet network that can be configured via the server 11.

Furthermore, a first key switch 12 is arranged in the region of the input terminal. The key switch 12 is also connected to the control controller 5 via a data line 13. In the elevator car 1, a second key switch 14 is arranged, which is connected via the data line 15 to the control controller 5.

The elevator system according to the invention is now used in such a way that when an elevator user 16 enters his destination on the landing terminal 8 in the normal destination call mode, the elevator car 1 is moved to the stop of the floor of the landing terminal 8, and is then controlled by the controller 4 so that it is moved in the sequence when the elevator user 16 has entered the cabin is moved to the floor in which, for example, the floor input terminal 7 is mounted. Will the elevator user 16 perform a special trip, he presses before driving the key switch 12, so that the controller 4 located in the vicinity of the elevator user 16 located elevator car 1 and this moves in the floor stop.

The elevator user then enters the elevator car 1, and points to the second key switch 14 that he is actually entitled to carry out a special trip. As a result, the control controller 5 within the control means 4 switches from the destination calling mode to a calling input mode.

The user gets the two different operating modes displayed in the display means 2 of the car 1 in this embodiment. In FIGS. 2 and 3 corresponding displays are shown for both modes.

How to get in Fig. 2 can recognize, in the destination call mode 2 arrows 17 and 18 are displayed in the touchscreen, the darker arrow 17 indicating the current direction of travel. In the area to the right of the arrows 17 and 18, the travel order structure is shown in excerpts and symbolically by rectangles 19, wherein the top rectangle 20 indicates the destination floor, as is symbolized by the arrow 21, wherein the left of arrow 21 and an explanatory text "next stop "can be displayed. The rectangles displayed under box 20 indicate the next destinations in their order. In the upper left area 22, the current position of the elevator car 1 is also displayed. In Fig. 2 So she is currently in the floor "E". This display 22 can also be supplemented with a text explanation such as "current floor".

Fig. 3 In contrast, shows a display that is displayed during a special trip in the touch screen 2. In this case, the user can make 16 inputs via the touch screen 2 and that as soon as a special travel order has been accepted by the controller 4. Then the elevator user 16 can choose his destination freely. In the present embodiment, six travel destinations "U", "Z1", "Z2", "E", "1" and "2" can be selected, which are displayed in a rectangle-symbolized keyboard in area 17. A touch of one of these rectangles is thus detected as a keystroke on a classic keyboard and evaluated by the controller 4. If a floor is selected as a destination, it will be marked accordingly, for example darker or differently colored. Also in the call input mode, the user 16 is displayed in the area 22, where he is currently, this is the floor "U". In addition, in the display of the Fig. 3 an advertisement banner 24 and an auxiliary display 25 are displayed in the lower area of the touchscreen. In the auxiliary display 25, the user 16 brief instructions, for example, to operate the elevator or other information such as the name of the tenant located in the floor in question can be displayed.

If the user has selected a floor in the special drive mode, the elevator car 1 is moved to the corresponding destination stop. There, the user 16 can leave the cabin 1. The car 1 remains in the stop until the user 16 has entered the car 1 again and has initiated the continuation of the special trip by pressing the key switch 14 again. The special trip status remains in force until it is canceled manually. In the present embodiment, this is done by the user pressing the key switch 14 in the elevator car 1 when reaching the last destination again. Then, the controller 4 switches from the call input mode again to the destination call mode. Subsequently, the touch screen 2 in the car 1 from the combined display and input mode in a pure display mode, as shown in Fig. 2 shown, switched.

Claims (30)

1. A lift system with at least one lift cabin (1), which is destination-call controlled by a control system (4) in a first operational state, wherein arranged in the storeys there are respective indicator means and input means (7, 8) for indicating and inputting a ride instruction by a user (16), that the input means (7, 8) arranged in the storeys are so constructed that a special ride may be instructed by them in the control system (4), wherein arranged in at least one lift cabin (1) provided for performing special rides there is a combined indicating and input means (2), characterised in that it is so constructed that, after receipt of a special ride instruction, it is changed from an indicating mode into an indicating and input mode.
2. A lift system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that all the lift cabins (1) of the lift system have combined indicating and input means (2).
3. A lift system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a lift cabin (1) selected by the control system (4) for the performance of the special ride is controllable separately from other lift cabins.
4. A lift system as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that after instructing the special ride, the lift cabin (1) selected for performing the special ride is changed into a second operational state, in which the destination-call control for this lift cabin (1) is deactivated.
5. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lift cabin (1) instructed for the special ride is controllable by the user (16) by means of the combined indicating and input means arranged in the lift cabin individually and separately from other lift cabins.
6. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characgterised in that the lift cabin (1) instructed with the special ride is so controllable that during the special ride instruction at least one ride destination is selectable by the user (16) in the lift cabin (1).
7. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lift cabin (1) instructed with the special ride is controllable by the combined indicating and input means (2) arranged in the lift cabin (1) until the special ride instruction is terminated by an input from the user (16).
8. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lift cabin (1) instructed with the special ride is controllable by the combined indicating and input means (2) arranged in the lift cabin (1) until the special ride instruction is terminated by exceeding a time limit.
9. A lift system as claimed in one claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the lift cabin (1) instructed with the special ride is controllable by the combined indicating and input means (2) arranged in the lift cabin (1) until the special ride instruction is terminated by reaching a predetermined ride destination.
10. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lift cabin (1) instructed with the special ride is barred to other users for the duration of the special ride instruction.
11. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lift cabin (1) is destination-call controlled after termination of the special ride instruction.
12. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the combined input and indicating means (2) arranged in the lift cabin (1) is switched into simply indicating operation after termination of the special ride instruction.
13. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the combined indicating and input means is a touch screen (2).
14. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that provided in the storey and/or in the lift cabin (1) there is a special ride input means (12, 14) which is arranged separately from the input and/or indicating means, for inputting a special ride instruction.
15. A lift system as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the special ride input means (12, 14) is constructed so that it enables an input limitation for a special circle of users.
16. A lift system as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that the special ride input means (12, 14) is a key switch, a card reader and/or a reader of biometric features.
17. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control system (4) includes a controller (5).
18. A lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the input and/or indicating means (7, 8) arranged in the at least one lift cabin (1) and in the storeys is connected via an ethernet network and administrated via a server (11).
19. A lift system as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the network includes at least one switch (6).
20. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the the preceding claims, characterised in that after receiving a special ride instruction, the control system (4) selects a lift cabin (1) for performing the special ride instruction, causes it to move, if necessary, to the desired storey and changes a combined indicating and input means (2) arranged therein for the performance of the special ride instruction from an indicating mode into a combined indicating and input mode, at the latest when the lift cabin (1) has reached the storey from which they special ride is to commence.
21. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lift cabin (1) instructed with the special ride is controlled by the user (16) individually by means of the combined indicating and input means (2) arranged in the lift cabin (1).
22. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that whilst the lift cabin (1) is in the special ride mode in which it is controllable from the cabin, at least one further lift cabin is operated in a destination-call mode.
23. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lift cabin (1) instructed with the special ride is so controlled that at least one further ride destination in the lift cabin may be selected by the user in the course of the special ride instruction.
24. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that outside a special ride instruction, information relating to the current storey status, the current direction of movement and the next ride destinations are indicated in the combined indicating and input means.
25. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the course of a special ride instruction the possible ride destinations are indicated in the combined indicating and input means (2) in the lift cabin (1) so that one or more ride destinations, and preferably also their order, are selectable by the user (16).
26. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the special ride instruction is terminated by an input from the user (16).
27. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the special ride instruction is terminated by exceeding a time limit.
28. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the special ride instruction is terminated by reaching a predetermined ride destination.
29. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the special ride instruction is issued only after the successful verification of an authorisation for performing special rides.
30. A method of controlling a lift system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the activation of a special ride instruction occurs in two stages, wherein firstly the special ride is requested via a first special ride input means (12) arranged in a storey and thereafter the authorisation for performing the special ride is verified by actuating a limited-access second special ride input means (14) arranged within the lift cabin (1).

Images