HK1228362A1 - Elevator system comprising a destination control system - Google Patents

Description

Elevator system comprising a destination control system

Background

Still most common in elevator technology is a call allocation method called continuous call allocation, whereby up/down buttons are provided at each landing (landing) and hall lantern devices are arranged on each elevator to give information about the position and direction of movement of the elevator. Current systems use destination call control, in which the passenger enters his destination floor on a destination operating panel, after which the destination control system immediately allocates the best elevator according to a predetermined cost function, which is displayed on said destination operating panel. Sometimes the destination operating panel has separate devices for inputting and displaying data, but the input device and the output device can also be positioned in combination on a touch-sensitive display screen which is then used for inputting and displaying data to the passenger.

The invention relates in particular to a customized Destination Control System (DCS) for cruise ships, on which elevators in one group can serve different decks (floors) or users need to be guided to the elevator group on the one of the two elevator groups that is close to them. In some boarding situations, it is desirable to balance the traffic between two groups of elevators (e.g. port and starboard) due to the requirement for great traffic capacity.

In particular, in an elevator system used by a user who is not familiar with the use of a destination control system, for example, on a cruise ship, when a passenger who is not familiar with the operation of a destination operation panel blocks a small number of destination operation panels, the efficiency of the destination control system is fundamentally degraded, which causes a problem, particularly, at a time when the passenger flow is congested. Another problem is that especially on cruise ships with a large number of different decks served by different elevators, which further complicates the allocation of the elevators. A particular problem arises in the boarding phase when a large number of passengers attempt to reach their destinations served only by a particular elevator of the group.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present application to provide an elevator system using destination control that provides high transport capacity and efficiency, and also provides comfortable service for inexperienced users.

This object is solved by an elevator system according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the present application are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the following description, the terms deck, landing and floor are used synonymously to refer to the floor served by the elevator system. DCS is an abbreviation of destination control system. DOP is an abbreviation for destination operation panel. COP is an abbreviation for car operating panel.

According to the invention, the elevator system comprises not only the features relating to destination call control, i.e. the destination operating panel at the landing, but also a car operating panel in the elevator that allows car calls to be issued in the elevator, hall lantern devices for each elevator, which indicate the position and direction of movement of the corresponding elevator, and signaling devices, which can be used in combination with the hall lantern devices for each elevator to indicate the arrival of the elevator at the landing floor. Car operating panels, hall lantern devices, and signaling devices are typical features of a continuous call distribution system. Accordingly, the elevator system combines the advantages of increased efficiency of the destination control system with the convenient operation of a continuous call operating system that can be used by inexperienced persons who are unfamiliar with the operation of the destination control system. Furthermore, each elevator thus has a range identifier indicating a certain destination range served by the elevator, which helps to find the correct elevator to a specific destination. Thus, one range identifier (e.g. color) is the same for all elevators having the same destination range (same service landing).

The destination control system of the elevator system of the invention is arranged to allocate the elevators of the elevator group according to the continuous call allocation principle but as a destination control system. This means that after getting a destination call through the DOP, the destination control system displays the elevator serving the destination (in one or more groups of elevators) through the DOP by indicating or displaying the corresponding range identifier indicating the range of the destination served by the corresponding elevator. Furthermore, the destination control system controls the hall lantern arrangements to indicate the position and direction of movement of all elevators, and the destination control system is further configured to activate the signaling arrangement when any elevator of the at least one elevator group arrives at a landing. The DOP is optionally also configured to indicate the allocated elevator in the instant call allocation. This allocation mode can be used when there is not a large amount of traffic in the elevator system.

After having informed the range identifier by means of DOP, the passenger can look for the next suitable elevator serving his destination (by means of the range identifier), and the hall lantern device indicates to him which of the suitable elevators will arrive, which is then indicated by the signaling device. This facilitates the use of elevator systems comprising elevators with different destination ranges which are also used by inexperienced passengers. This range identifier can be implemented, for example, by indicating the destination range of the service directly on a display above each elevator. The range identifier can also be a simple symbol or color, which is the same for all elevators having the same destination range.

The signaling device of each elevator indicating the arrival of the elevator at the landing can be an acoustic or visual signaling device. The signaling device can also be a combined signaling device giving an acoustic as well as a visual signal of the arrival of the elevator at the landing. In this regard, the signaling device may be combined with a hall lantern device. By means of this clear signal passengers waiting in the lobby are clearly aware of the arrival of the elevator, the direction of movement of the elevator and also the destination range of the corresponding elevator by means of the range identifier. Accordingly, even if they do not issue a destination call on the operating panel of the destination of the elevator system, they can enter the correct elevator and issue their destination call through the car operating panel located in the elevator. By this measure the elevator system of the invention provides a hybrid system of destination control systems and continuous call allocation of so-called old push-up/down elevator systems and radically improves the transport capacity of the elevator system.

The elevator system of the invention with a hybrid allocation system (continuous destination control) thus provides the best efficiency, because it provides more information for elevator control than the old-fashioned continuous call allocation system, in which no destination floor is issued and must be evaluated on the basis of statistical data. On the other hand, the elevator system of the invention provides better passenger comfort for passengers who are not familiar with the destination control system, or in situations where the lobby is too crowded to use DCS as normal for immediate call allocation. Accordingly, the elevator system of the present invention also provides improved transport efficiency in crowded halls or peak traffic situations, which normally result in reduced efficiency of conventional destination control systems. The invention is preferably configured for use in ships, such as cruise ships, having a large number of decks served by different elevators of the elevator system. On these cruise ships, a large variety of inexperienced people, such as children, elderly people, disabled people, must be transported, wherein in peak traffic situations, such as boarding, lunch or dinner times, traffic congestion occurs which makes the operation of a pure destination control system difficult.

The present application simplifies the use of DCS, taking into account the many types of users (adults, children, elderly, disabled) traveling in different numbers of groups (single, double, family, friends), who may not be familiar with DCS or even elevators in the group. Accordingly, the present invention improves the efficiency of the DCS, improving the capacity of the elevator system and the comfort of the end user/customer.

Another advantage of the invention is the simplification of the use of less experienced elevator users and the efficient use of elevators due to continuous call allocation. In addition, the invention simplifies the landing call station arrangement, so that no additional call buttons (FEB/FET) are needed if the elevators in the group have different upper/lower decks.

The present invention provides the following advantages:

1) when the elevator serves different decks the users are guided to the correct elevator serving their destination deck.

2) If the group serves a different deck, the user is guided to the correct elevator group.

3) The user is directed to a particular elevator group to balance the passenger flow of the two (or more) groups.

4) The DCS (and the elevator) on the cruise ship is effectively used, taking into account a wide range of users.

By showing in the DOP a range identifier common to the elevators serving the destination, which range identifier may be e.g. some colour, text or picture, an inexperienced passenger can immediately recognise the correct elevator for his destination. A regular hall lantern arrangement with up/down lights, and a signaling arrangement with acoustic signals (such as gongs) and/or visual signals (such as up/down lights), signaling the arriving elevator. When it arrives, the destination car call is automatically sent to the elevator and the signaling device is illuminated. If several elevator groups are provided, the DOP may show the correct elevator group, possibly through a lobby map. In the case of multiple elevator groups provided in an elevator system, one multi-group control may be provided or several group controls may be arranged, interacting by two-way communication to allocate the best elevator of one of the groups. In this regard, DCS in combination with group control provides a cost of service assessment, e.g., expected wait times, which then determines the elevator group or elevators in a group to service and notifies the user/passenger.

With regard to directing users to a particular elevator group to balance the traffic between two (or more) groups, it is possible to send destination calls to the elevator group control either through DOPs (which are preferably lightweight to be easily and quickly installed on the ramp) or through the ship's passage control system when all users have to swipe their personal identifier (usually an ID card) when entering the ramp. The corridor control system can send the destination floor where the cabin of the user is located or only the landing call. The latter option is preferred because of the long walking distance from the gangway to the elevator lobby (slow walking travelers are likely to be 30-60 seconds) and because they may want to go directly to the restaurant/swimming pool instead of their hold. This guidance may be implemented as a separate display on the ceiling, or manually by a person receiving instructions to guide the passenger to where. In any case, this function is more like crowd detection, and guidance is also directed to the crowd, e.g. "next elevator will arrive to the left side of the lobby", rather than to the individual. Instead of a destination call, a user group detection sensor may also be used.

The DCS can use continuous DCS call allocation whereby the user is only informed of the elevators serving his destination and by the signalling means before the next elevator serving his destination arrives at the landing. In principle, real-time allocation can also be used, but the efficiency of the users and groups of users is too low.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, elevators having the same destination range are marked with the same range identifier, and the allocated elevator is indicated on the destination operating panel by its range identifier. By this measure the passenger knows which elevator serves his destination. After that he can wait for the next one of these elevators to arrive in the direction of his destination, which is indicated by the hall lantern arrangement and the signaling arrangement. The advantages of destination call control and continuous call control are thus combined in a very efficient manner, so that the passenger only has to concentrate on the right elevator serving his deck/landing.

The provision of range identifiers is advantageous for finding the correct elevator to serve their deck or landing, since such range identifiers can be made easily noticeable, for example, by text, numbers or better, colors. If a color is used as the range identifier, this color can be easily remembered by passengers to easily find their elevator serving their destination floor or deck.

The range identifier is placed in the vicinity of the elevator, e.g. at its top or side or around its landing door. If the range identifier is shown on the display, the group of elevators serving several different destination ranges is selectable/changeable. The range identifier can also be a number or color that is drawn on the wall where the landing doors are located. This type of range identifier can be easily remembered by the passenger.

An elevator system may include one or more elevator groups, whereby multiple elevators of one group or multiple elevators of different groups serve different destinations. In the case where a plurality of groups are provided, a multi-group control may be provided in which DCS for different elevator groups are combined. Alternatively, several elevator group controls may be provided that interact to guide passengers between groups.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the range identifier is indicated on a display controllable by the elevator control or the destination control system.

By this range identifier being displayed on a display above the elevator, any desired type of range identifier can be used, so that the range identifier can be adapted to different user groups of the elevator system. This is especially true if the ship is used in different regions of the world, so that the range identifier is applicable to different languages.

Preferably, the destination operating panel as well as the car operating panel comprise ADA keypads, i.e. decimal keypads, which can also be easily operated by disabled persons. This facilitates the use of the elevator system by children and disabled persons.

Preferably, the destination operating panel as well as the car operating panel comprise an identifier reader which activates the destination control system to automatically read the destination of the passenger who has presented the ID tag. The identifier reader may be a card reader or an RFID reader or any other corresponding identification tag reader.

The elevator system of the invention can advantageously be superimposed with special call modes, such as emergency call mode, VIP call mode, which automatically switches the destination control system in the corresponding service mode by use of the personal identifier, whereby the corresponding passenger has a certain predetermined priority.

Of course, the hybrid elevator system of the present invention is applicable not only to large cruise ships but also to other places where different types of people and less experienced people use the elevator system, such as malls, subway stations, and airports.

It should be emphasized again that the elevator system of the invention does not have up/down buttons.

The DCS may switch from continuous call allocation to instantaneous call allocation, for example, at quiet times, such as when a pair of elevators is out of service (evening). In this instant allocation, the passenger is informed immediately on the DOP of his allocated elevator after issuing his destination call at the DOP.

Drawings

The invention is hereinafter described schematically with the aid of the disclosed figures.

In these drawings:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an elevator lobby, which comprises a plurality of elevators with two different destination ranges,

fig. 2 shows a view from the inside of the elevator towards the car door and the car operating panel, an

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of elevator control with a destination control system controlling the functions of the continuous call allocation system.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a landing lobby 12 of a landing of an elevator system 10 from which there is access to at least five elevators 14, 16, 18, 20, 22. In the lobby 12 there are two destination operating panels 24, 26 which comprise input means for issuing destination calls, such as ADA keyboards, and displays and/or touch screens to indicate to the passengers the applicable elevator serving this issued destination, preferably immediately after a destination call has been issued. Each of the five elevators 14-22 has a separate identifier 28, in this embodiment the words a-E. Each elevator has a hall lantern arrangement at its top, which comprises a first display 30 for the actual position of the elevator and a second display 32 for indicating the direction of movement of the elevator.

Furthermore, each elevator has a range identifier display 34, which indicates a certain destination range served by the elevator. The range identifier may be, for example, text, numbers, or color, or in the indicated embodiment, a graphic of a circle or cross. Each range identifier represents a certain destination range of the corresponding elevator, whereby on the DOP and finally at any location of the elevator lobby there is information showing the interrelation of the range identifier and the destination of the service. In the described embodiment the range identifier is displayed on the range identifier display 34, which may even directly indicate the destination range of the corresponding elevator, e.g. "decks 10 to 24".

All devices indicated in fig. 1 are connected to an elevator control or elevator group control, which comprises a destination control system as shown in fig. 3. Accordingly, the elevator system of the invention performs continuous destination control without up/down buttons on the basis of the destination operating panels 24 and 26, whereby a destination call is issued, while the possible elevators serving the call are displayed with their range identifiers. The destination control system also controls the first display 30 and the second display 32 of the hall lantern arrangement and the destination range display 34 and the acoustic signaling device 35 indicating the arrival of the elevator at the landing.

Fig. 2 shows a view from the interior of elevators 14-22 to car doors 36. On the car door 36 side, a Car Operating Panel (COP)38 is positioned in the car wall, by means of which a COP destination can be entered, for example by means of a decimal keypad 40 provided on the touch screen of the COP38 or by means of a separate keypad. If the car operating panel 38 is a touch screen, an ADA keypad 40 may be displayed on the panel. The car operating panel 38 can also indicate the next destination of the elevator in the direction of movement. In addition, an acoustic signaling device 42, typically a speaker or gong, is provided within the car to inform a particular visually handicapped of the destination of the car and the next stop of the car.

Fig. 3 shows a car group control 50 comprising a destination control system 52, in which an instant call allocation is performed, which is usually together with the destination call system. Destination control system 52 may be integrated into the elevator group control or may be a separate component, such as a plug-in module for elevator control. The destination control system 52 communicates with different devices via two serial buses 54, 56 to which different components of the elevator system are connected. To this first serial bus 54 connected to the elevator group control 50, there are connected destination operating panels 24, 26, a first display 30 of hall lantern devices, a second display 32, and an acoustic signaling device 35. The second display 32, which in this connection indicates the direction of movement of the elevator, can be used as a signaling device, so that when the elevator arrives at the landing, one or both arrows of the second display 32 flash for a period of time together with the acoustic signal of the acoustic signaling device 35.

The first serial bus 54 is further connected to the car operating panel 38 and to the speaker 42 positioned within the elevator.

Group control 50 communicates with elevators 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 of the elevator group via a second bus 56, preferably a serial bus. Communication between elevator group control 50 and elevators 14-22 may occur in such a manner that: the different components of the elevator, such as the motor, brakes, door drive, etc., are controlled directly by the elevator group control 50, or take place in such a way that: each elevator 14-22 has its own elevator control, which communicates with different components of the elevator. In this case the communication between the elevator group control 50 and the elevator controls of the different elevators 14-22 comprises only the control order and status information and information exchange (handhavking) of the different elevators.

The destination control system of the elevator system of the invention usually tries to allocate the best elevator according to the evaluation principle of the cost function, which function principle comprises e.g. passenger ride time, passenger waiting time, total ride time, energy consumption, transport capacity, etc.

Of course, the elevator system may comprise several sensors, such as load sensors in the car, people sensors in the lobby 12, to obtain information about the car load and about the passenger flow of the elevator system. These data can be used together with the data issued by the destination operating panels 24, 26 and the car operating panel 38 to improve the processing capacity of the elevator system and its quality of service.

The invention may vary within the scope of the attached patent claims. The above-mentioned embodiments can be combined with each other as long as technically feasible.

Claims (17)

1. Elevator system (10) comprising at least one elevator group control (50) with a Destination Control System (DCS) (52), the elevator system comprising:

at least one elevator group comprising elevators (14-22) with different destination ranges,

-a Destination Operating Panel (DOPs) (24, 26) at each landing (12), comprising input means for issuing destination calls,

-Car Operating Panels (COPs) (38) located in the elevator, having an input device (40) for inputting destination calls,

-a hall lantern arrangement (30, 32) for each elevator, indicating the direction of movement of the corresponding elevator,

-a signal device (32, 35) for each elevator, indicating the arrival of the elevator at the landing (12),

wherein the DCS controls the hall lantern devices (30, 32) to indicate a direction of movement of the elevators (14-22), and wherein the DCS is further configured to activate the signaling devices (32, 35) when a group of elevators (14-22) arrives at a landing,

wherein the DCS (52) is configured to display at the DOP, after issuing a destination call, a range identifier of an elevator (14-22) serving the destination, the range identifier (34) indicating the destination range of the elevator and indicating the next arriving elevator by activating its signaling means (32, 35) before the elevator arrives at the landing (12),

wherein a range identifier (34) for each elevator of the elevator system is located in its vicinity.

2. The elevator system (10) of claim 1, installed on a vessel, and the landing (12) is a deck of the vessel.

3. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevators (14-22) serving the destination are displayed together with their range identifier (34) on the DOP (24, 26).

4. Elevator system according to claim 3, wherein the elevators (14-22) serving the destination are displayed by the DOP (24, 26) in a lobby map.

5. Elevator system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an allocated elevator (14-22) is displayed on the DOP (24, 26) by means of its unique number (28) and its range identifier (34).

6. The elevator system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the range identifier (34) is a color.

7. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each DOP (24, 36) and/or COP (38) comprises an ADA keypad (40).

8. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each DOP (24, 36) and/or COP (38) comprises an identifier reader (25, 39).

9. The elevator system of claim 8, wherein after reading the unique identifier by the identifier reader (25, 39), the destination control system (52) is configured to load pre-stored destination data based on the identifier.

10. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hall lantern arrangement (30, 32) and the signalling device (32, 35) comprise a common second display (32) for the direction of movement.

11. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the signal device (32, 35) comprises an acoustic signal device (35).

12. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the destination control system uses sensor data, such as load data and passenger flow data from the elevator group control (50), for optimal call allocation.

13. The elevator system of claim 12, wherein the elevator group control (50) is connected to load sensors of the elevators (14-22).

14. The elevator system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the elevator group control (50) is connected to passenger sensors at the landing (12) and/or within the elevator (14-22).

15. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the destination control system (52) allocates for the call a use cost function, wherein different service parameters, such as passenger waiting time, passenger riding time and energy consumption, are taken into account.

16. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the DCS (52) is configured to switch an immediate call allocation principle, wherein an elevator is allocated immediately after a destination call has been entered by the DOP, wherein the allocated elevator is displayed on the corresponding DOP (24, 26) that has issued the destination call.

17. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hall lantern arrangement (30, 32) for each elevator is configured to indicate the position of the corresponding elevator, whereby the DCS further controls the hall lantern arrangement (30, 32) to indicate the position of the elevator (14-22).