WO2007133173A2

WO2007133173A2 - Elevator system including car-to-car passenger transfer

Info

Publication number: WO2007133173A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/013344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Curtis St. Brice
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Company
Priority date: 2006-04-11
Filing date: 2006-04-11
Publication date: 2007-11-22
Also published as: WO2007133173A3

Abstract

An elevator system (10) includes multiple elevator cars (14, 18) that each service a group of floors. The groups of floors overlap on at least one transfer floor (L5). Each transfer floor includes a transfer opening (22) such that a load is transferable between the elevator cars via the transfer opening (22).

Description

ELEVATOR SYSTEM INCLUDING CAR-TO-CAR PASSENGER

TRANSFER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to elevators and elevator systems. In particular, the present invention relates to an elevator system including adjacent elevator cars configured such that passengers may transfer directly between the elevators cars.

In high-rise buildings, transfer floors or sky lobbies are common due to practical and technical limitations involved with having an elevator service all floors in the building. A sky lobby provides a designated area or floor in the building to facilitate the transfer of passengers from elevators servicing lower floors in the building to an elevator servicing upper floors in the building. However, sky lobbies use space within the building that may otherwise be used as rental space, thereby reducing the revenue generated for the owner of the building. In addition, the use of sky lobbies increases the overall journey time (i.e., the time from initial boarding to arrival at the final destination) for passengers, due to the time traveling between elevators and waiting for arrival of an elevator at the sky lobby.

The use of sky lobbies in a destination entry elevator system is also disadvantageous. In a destination entry system, passengers are required to register their destination floors before they are picked up. The elevator system then assigns each passenger to an elevator that most efficiently transports him or her to the desired destination floor. In destination entry elevator systems including a sky lobby, a passenger is assigned to a lower floor elevator upon entering his or her destination floor, but may be required to wait to receive his or her upper floor elevator car assignment until arriving at the sky lobby. Alternatively, the passenger may be assigned lower and upper floor elevator cars upon entering his or her destination, but would then be required to remember the upper floor elevator car assignment upon arriving at the sky lobby. The passenger may forget the upper floor elevator assignment and board an upper floor elevator other than the one assigned, causing the passenger to be transported to a floor other than the one desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to an elevator system including multiple elevator cars that each service a group of floors. The groups of floors overlap on at least one transfer floor. Each transfer floor includes a transfer opening such that a load is transferable between the elevator cars via the transfer opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is schematic view of a two-hoistway elevator system including single door elevator cars and a transfer zone between the hoistways.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a three-hoistway elevator system including single door elevator cars and transfer zones between the hoistways.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a two-hoistway elevator system including multiple dual door elevator cars in each hoistway and multiple transfer zones between the hoistways.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a single hoistway elevator system including multiple dual door elevator cars and multiple transfer zones for transferring between the elevator cars.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is schematic view of elevator system 10, which includes two hoistways and is shown in a building having ten floors, including floor levels L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, and L10. While ten levels L1-

L10 are shown, it will be appreciated that elevator system 10 may be adapted for use in a building including any number of floors. Lower hoistway 12 includes elevator car 14 that services levels L1-L5, and upper hoistway 16 includes elevator car 18 that services levels L5-L10. The operation of elevator cars 14 and 18 is controlled by controls 19a and

19b, respectively. Elevator cars 14 and 18 each includes a door that permits loading from and unloading to levels L1-L4 and L6-L10, respectively, via portals 20. It should be noted that while a single elevator car is shown in each hoistway, each hoistway may include multiple elevator cars.

Lower hoistway 12 and upper hoistway 16 are disposed adjacent to each other and overlap or intersect at transfer level L5. Transfer level L5 includes a transfer zone or opening 22 between lower hoistway 12 and upper hoistway 16. Transfer zone 22 provides a path to transfer a load (e.g., passengers) between elevator car 14 and elevator car 18 when elevator cars 14 and 18 are both on transfer level L5 (as depicted by the arrows in transfer zone 22). In particular, elevator car 14, transfer zone

22 and elevator car 18 provide a walkway for transferring a load between the elevator cars. This allows a load to be transported from any of lower levels L1-L4 to any of upper levels L6-L10 without exiting elevator system 10. It should be noted that while one transfer level is shown, hoistways 12 and 16 may be configured to provide any number of transfer floors between the hoistways. In addition, while two hoistways are shown, elevator system 10 may include any number of hoistways having overlapping or intersecting transfer levels.

Control blocks 19a and 19b intercommunicate with each other to facilitate load transport in elevator system 10. Alternatively, controls 19a and 19b may be integrated in a single control that controls all elevators in elevator system 10. Control blocks 19a and 19b receive dispatch requests from passengers on levels L1-L10 and control elevator cars 14 and 18 to most efficiently transport the passengers to their respective destination floors. In addition, control blocks 19a and 19b monitor and control the locations and speeds of elevator cars 14 and 18 to meet at transfer level L5 when passengers want to be transported between the levels serviced by elevator car 14 (i.e., levels L1-L4) and the levels serviced by elevator car 18 (i.e., levels L6-L10). In one embodiment, control blocks 19a and 19b control elevator cars 14 and 18, respectively, to arrive substantially simultaneously at transfer level L5 when transferring passengers between the lower and upper levels. The dispatching of elevator cars 14 and 18 may be adjusted by control blocks 19a and 19b to favor near simultaneous arrival at transfer floor L5 over dispatching efficiency.

To decrease elevator journey time, control blocks 19a and 19b may alternatively control the doors of elevator cars 14 and 18, respectively, such that the doors begin to open prior to stopping on transfer level L5. As elevator cars 14 and 18 approach transfer level L5, control blocks 19a and 19b monitor the speed of elevator cars 14 and 18, respectively and their distance from transfer level L5 and begins to open the doors when the elevator cars reach a safe speed and position. The opening of the elevator doors is timed by control blocks 19a and 19b to open the doors wide enough for transfer between elevator cars 14 and 18 through transfer zone 22 as elevators 14 and 18 stop at transfer level L5.

To illustrate the operation of elevator system 10, if a passenger on level L1 wants to be transported to level L8, the passenger enters elevator car 14 via portal 20 on level L1 and is transported to transfer level L5. During this transport, control block 19b moves elevator car 18 to meet elevator car 14 at transfer level L5. When both elevator cars 14 and 18 arrive at transfer level L5, control blocks 19a and 19b open the doors of elevator cars 14 and 18, respectively, to allow the passenger to transfer from elevator car 14 to elevator car 18 via transfer zone 22. When the passenger has entered elevator car 18, control block 19a transfers the passenger's destination call to control block 19b, and the passenger is transported to destination level L8. In a destination entry elevator system, which includes multiple elevator systems 10 operating in parallel, the passenger enters his or her desired destination floor on a destination entry input device at each level. The passenger is then assigned to an elevator, and the passenger transported to his or her destination floor without exiting elevator system 10. In this way, the passenger is not required to recall multiple elevator assignments or re-enter his or her destination, as may be required for elevator systems including a sky lobby level. Also shown in FIG. 1 are optional portals 24 on transfer level L5. If elevator system 10 includes portals 24, either or both of elevator cars 14 and 18 may be provided with a second set of doors to allow hallway access on transfer level L5. This allows the use of additional space within the building as rental space. This space may also be a limited access space, requiring certain privilege to access the hallway on transfer level L5 (e.g., access only by service workers).

A building may include multiple elevator systems 10 operating in parallel within the building. In order to allow access to every level in the building, each of the multiple elevator systems 10 may include a different transfer level. Thus, a parallel elevator system 10 to that shown in FIG. 1 may, for example, have its transfer level on level L7 and include a portal 20 for access to level L5 from elevator car 14. In addition, elevator cars 14 and 18 may be controlled by control blocks 19a and 19b, respectively, such that one or more of the multiple elevator systems 10 operate to provide express service from first level L1 (which may be a lobby level) to upper levels L6-L10 by limiting or prohibiting stops on the intermediate levels L2-L4. The use of one or more elevator systems 10 as express service elevators in a multiple elevator building not only provides fast access to the upper floors in the building from first level L1, but also expedites exit from the upper floors to first level L1.

By allowing passengers to transfer directly between elevator cars 14 and 18 without leaving elevator system 10, building space previously reserved for sky lobbies can be utilized for other purposes. In addition, the travel time from origin to destination is reduced because the passenger is moved between elevators without requiring additional wait time at a sky lobby. Furthermore, building security is improved since passengers remain in elevator system 10 from origin to destination.

FIG. 2 is schematic vjew of elevator system 30, which includes three hoistways and is shown in a building having twelve floors, including floor levels L1-L12. While twelve levels L1-L12 are shown, it will be appreciated that elevator system 30 may be adapted for use in a building including any number of floors. Lower hoistway 32 includes elevator car 34 that services levels L1-L5, intermediate hoistway 36 includes elevator car 38 that services levels L5-L9, and upper hoistway 40 includes elevator car 42 that services levels L9-L12. The operation of elevator cars 34, 38, and 42 is controlled by control blocks 43a, 43b, and 43c, respectively.

Elevator cars 34, 38, and 42 each includes a door that permits loading from and unloading to levels L1-L4, L6-L8, and L10-L12, respectively, via portals 44. It should be noted that while a single elevator car is shown in each hoistway, each hoistway may include multiple elevator cars. In addition, while upper hoistway 40 is shown disposed vertically above lower hoistway 32, hoistways 32, 36, and 40 may be positioned in any configuration as long as at least one floor overlaps between adjacent hoistways.

Lower hoistway 32 and intermediate hoistway 36 are disposed adjacent to each other and overlap or intersect at transfer level L5.

Transfer level L5 includes a transfer zone or opening 46a between lower hoistway 32 and intermediate hoistway 36. Intermediate hoistway 36 and upper hoistway 40 are disposed adjacent to each other and overlap or intersect at transfer level L9. Transfer level L9 includes a transfer zone or opening 46b between intermediate hoistway 36 and upper hoistway 40.

Transfer zone 46a provides a path to transfer a load between elevator car 34 and elevator car 38 when elevator cars 34 and 38 are both on level L5. Transfer zone 46b provides a path to transfer a load between elevator car 38 and elevator car 42 when elevator cars 38 and 42 are both on level L9. This allows a load to be transported between levels without exiting elevator system 30.

Control blocks 43a-43c intercommunicate with each other to facilitate load transport in elevator system 30. Alternatively, control blocks 43a-43c may be integrated in a single control block that controls all elevators in elevator system 30. Control blocks 43a-43c receive dispatch requests from passengers on levels L1-L12 and control elevator cars 34, 38, and 42 to most efficiently transport the passeηgers to their respective destination floors. In addition, control blocks 43a and 43b monitor and control the locations and speeds of elevator cars 34 and 38, respectively, to meet at transfer level L5 when passengers wish to be transported between the levels serviced by elevator car 34 (i.e., levels L1-L4) and the levels serviced by elevator car 38 (i.e., levels L6-L8). Similarly, control blocks 43b and 43c monitor and control the locations and speeds of elevator cars 38 and 42 to meet at transfer level L9 when passengers wish to be transported between the levels serviced by elevator car 38 and the levels serviced by elevator car 42 (i.e., levels L10-L12). In one embodiment, control blocks 43a and 43b control elevator cars 34 and 38 to arrive substantially simultaneously at transfer level L5 when transferring passengers between the lower and intermediate levels, and control blocks 43b and 43c control elevator cars 38 and 42 to arrive substantially simultaneously at transfer level L9 when transferring passengers between the intermediate and upper levels. The dispatching of elevator cars 34,

38, and 42 may be adjusted by control blocks 43a, 43b, and 43c, respectively, to favor near simultaneous arrival at the transfer levels over dispatching efficiency.

For example, if a passenger on level L1 wants to be transported to level L11 , the passenger enters elevator car 34 via portal 44 on level L1 and is transported to transfer level L5. During the transport by elevator car 34 from level L1 to L5, control block 43b moves elevator car 38 to meet elevator car 34 at transfer level L5. When both elevator cars 34 and 38 arrive at transfer level L5, control blocks 43a and 43b open the doors of elevator cars 34 and 38, respectively, to allow the passenger to transfer from elevator car 34 to elevator car 38 via transfer zone 46a. When the passenger has entered elevator car 38, control block 43a provides the passenger's destination call to control block 43b, and the passenger is transported to transfer level L9. During this transport, control block 43c moves elevator car 42 to meet elevator car 38 at transfer level L9. When both elevator cars 38 and 42 arrive at transfer level L9, control blocks 43b and 43c open the doors of elevator cars 38 and 42 to allow the passenger to transfer from elevator car 38 to elevator car 42 via transfer zone 46b. When the passenger has entered elevator car 42, control block 43b provides the passenger's destination call to control block 43c, and the passenger is transported to destination level L11. Also shown in FIG. 2 are optional portals 48 on transfer levels L5 and L9. If elevator system 30 includes portals 48, any of elevator cars 34, 38, and 42 may be provided with a second set of doors to allow hallway access on the transfer levels or to service a separate portion of the floor level. This allows the use of additional space within the building as rental space, or to provide floors with limited access within the building (e.g., access only by service workers).

FIG. 3 is schematic view of elevator system 50, which includes two hoistways and is shown in a building having twelve floors, including floor levels L1-L12. While twelve levels L1-L12 are shown, it will be appreciated that elevator system 50 may be adapted for use in a building including any number of floors. Lower hoistway 52 includes elevator cars 54 and 56 that service levels L1-L9, and upper hoistway 58 includes elevator cars 60 and 62 that service levels L5-L12. The operation of elevator system 50 is controlled by control blocks 63a and 63b. Elevator cars 54, 56, 60, and 62 each includes first and second doors that permit loading from and unloading to levels L1-L12 via portals 64.

Lower hoistway 52 and upper hoistway 58 are disposed adjacent to each other and overlap or intersect at transfer levels L5, L6, L7, L8, and L9. Transfer level L5, L6, L7, L8, and L9 include a transfer zones or openings 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, and 66e, respectively, between lower hoistway 52 and upper hoistway 58. Transfer zones 66a-66e provide paths to transfer a load (e.g., passengers) between elevator cars 54 and 56 in lower hoistway 52 and elevator cars 60 and 62 in upper hoistway 58 when any two elevator cars are on the same transfer level. This allows a load to be transported between any of the levels serviced by hoistways 52 and 58 without exiting elevator system 50. It should be noted that while five transfer levels are shown, hoistways 52 and 58 may be configured to provide any number of transfer floors between the hoistways at any floor level.

Control blocks 63a and 63b intercommunicate with each other to facilitate load transport in elevator system 50. Alternatively, control blocks 63a and 63b may be integrated in a single control block that controls all elevators in elevator system 50. Control blocks 63a and 63b receive dispatch requests from passengers on levels L1-L12 and control elevator cars 54, 56, 60, and 62 to most efficiently transport the passengers to their respective destination floors. In addition, control blocks 63a and 63b monitor and control the locations and speeds of elevator cars 54, 56, 60, and 62 to meet at transfer levels L5-L9 when passengers wish to be transported between the levels serviced by elevator cars 54 and 56 (i.e., levels L1-L9) and the levels serviced by elevator cars 60 and 62 (i.e., levels L5-L12). In one embodiment, control blocks 63a and 63b control the elevator cars to arrive substantially simultaneously at a transfer level when transferring passengers between the levels serviced by elevator cars 54 and 56 and the levels serviced by elevator cars 60 and 62. The dispatching of elevator cars 54, 56, 60, and 62 may be adjusted by control blocks 63a and 63b to favor near simultaneous arrival at the transfer levels over dispatching efficiency.

For example, if a passenger on level L2 wants to be transported to level L11 , the passenger enters the elevator car dispatched to level L2 (either elevator car 54 or 56) via one of portals 64 on level L2. Control block 63b dispatches the elevator car in upper hoistway 58 that can most efficiently service the passenger's destination request to one of transfer level L5-L9 to meet the passenger's elevator. For example, if the passenger is transported by elevator car 56 to transfer level L7, control block 63b may dispatch elevator car 60 to meet elevator car 56 at transfer level L7. When both elevator cars arrive at transfer level L7, control blocks 63a and 63b open the doors of both elevator cars 56 and 60 to allow the passenger to transfer from elevator car 56 to elevator car 60 via transfer zone 66c. When the passenger has entered elevator car 60, control block 63a provides the passenger's destination call to control block 63b, and the passenger is transported to destination level L11.

FIG. 4 is schematic view of elevator system 70, which includes one hoistway 72 and is shown in a building having ten floors, including floor levels L1-L10. While ten levels L1-L10 are shown, it will be appreciated that elevator system 70 may be adapted for use in a building including any number of floors. Hoistway 72 includes elevator cars 74 and 76 that service level L1-L5 and elevator cars 78 and 80 that service levels L1- L10. The operation of elevator cars 74, 76, 78, and 80 is controlled by control block 79. Elevator cars 74 and 76 each include a door that permits loading from and unloading to levels L1-L5 via portals 84. Elevator cars 78 and 80 each include a door that permits loading from and unloading to levels L1-L10 via portals 84. While two sets of two vertically disposed elevators are shown, hoistway 72 may include any number of elevator cars.

Elevator cars 74 and 76 are disposed in hoistway 72 relative to elevator cars 78 and 80 to permit transferring between elevator cars via transfer zones 86a-86e. More specifically, transfer zones 86a-86e provide paths to transfer a load from one of elevator cars 74 or 76 to one of elevator cars 78 and 80 (or vice versa) when two elevator cars are on a transfer level including one of transfer zones 86a-86e (i.e., levels L2-L6). This allows a load to be transported between levels without exiting elevator system 70. While five transfer levels are shown, hoistway 72 may be configured to include any number of transfer zones between the elevator cars.

Control block 79 controls all elevator cars in elevator system 70. Alternatively, elevator system 70 may be controlled by a plurality of intercommunicating control blocks that each control a single elevator car or a set of elevator cars. Control block 79 receives dispatch requests from passengers on levels L1-L10 and controls elevator cars 74, 76, 78, and 80 to most efficiently transport the passengers to their respective destination floors. In addition, control block 79 monitors and controls the locations and speeds of elevator cars 74, 76, 78, and 80 to meet at transfer zones 86a-86e on levels L2-L6, respectively, when passengers wish to be transported between the levels serviced by elevator cars 74 and 76 (i.e., levels L1-L5) and the levels serviced by elevator cars 78 and 80 (i.e., levels L1-L10). In one embodiment, control block 79 controls the elevator cars to arrive substantially simultaneously at a transfer zone when transferring passengers between the levels serviced by elevator cars 74 and 76 and the levels serviced by elevator cars 78 and 80. The dispatching of elevator cars 74, 76, 78, and 80 may be adjusted by control block 79 to favor near simultaneous arrival at the transfer zones over dispatching efficiency.

For example, if a passenger on level L2 wants to be transported to level L9 and assigned to either elevator car 74 or 76, the passenger enters the assigned elevator car on level L2 via portal 84. Control block 79 dispatches either elevator car 78 or 80 that can most efficiently service the passenger's destination request to one of transfer levels L2-L6 to meet the passenger's elevator. For example, if the passenger is transported by elevator car 76 to transfer level L5, control block 79 may dispatch elevator car 80 to meet elevator car 76 at transfer level L5. When both elevator cars arrive at transfer level L5, control block 79 opens the doors of both elevator cars 76 and 80 to allow the passenger to transfer from elevator car 76 to elevator car 80 via transfer zone 86d. When the passenger has entered elevator car 80, the passenger is transported to destination level L9. It should be noted that transfer zone 86e is located on a level to which elevator cars 74 and 76 do not have hallway access. In this way, level L6 serves only as a transfer level for elevator cars 74 and 76, but does not serve as a destination floor for passengers in elevator cars 74 and 76. Thus, a passenger assigned to elevator cars 74 and 76 needs to transfer to either elevator car 78 or 80 to access levels L6-L10.

In summary, the present invention is directed to an elevator system including multiple elevator cars that each service a group of floors. The groups of floors overlap on at least one transfer floor. Each transfer floor includes a transfer opening such that a load is transferable between the. elevator cars via the transfer opening. By allowing passengers to transfer directly between elevators without leaving the elevator system, building space previously reserved for sky lobbies can be utilized for other purposes. In addition, the travel time from origin to destination is reduced because the wait time at sky lobbies is eliminated. Furthermore, building security is improved since passengers remain in the elevator system from origin to destination. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An elevator system comprising: a first elevator car for servicing a first group of floors; and a second elevator car for servicing a second group of floors, wherein the first and second groups of floors overlap on at least one transfer floor, each transfer floor including a transfer opening such that a load is transferable between the first and second elevator cars via the transfer opening.

2. The elevator system of claim 1 , wherein a first door of the first elevator car and a first door of the second elevator car open to the transfer opening when the first and second elevators are on or about on a same transfer floor.

3. The elevator system of claim 2, wherein the first doors open substantially simultaneously when the first and second elevator cars are on or about on the same transfer floor.

4. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the first elevator car includes a second door to provide an opening from the elevator system.

5. The elevator system of claim 1 , and further comprising: at least a third elevator car disposed vertically from at least one of the first elevator car and the second elevator car.

6. The elevator system of claim 1 , wherein the elevator system is part of a destination entry group elevator system.

7. The elevator system of claim 1 , wherein the first elevator car is disposed in a first hoistway, the second elevator car is disposed in a second hoistway, and wherein the first and second hoistways overlap on the at least one transfer floor.

8. A method for transporting a load between an origin floor and a destination floor in an elevator system including a first hoistway and an adjacent second hoistway that overlap at a transfer floor that indudes a transfer opening between the first and second hoistways, the method comprising: transporting the load in a first elevator car located in the first hoistway to the transfer floor, wherein the first elevator car services a first group of floors that includes the origin floor; moving a second elevator car located in the second hoistway to the transfer floor, wherein the second elevator car services a second group of floors that includes the destination floor; providing a transfer path directly from the first elevator car to the second elevator car to facilitate transfer of the load via the transfer opening without exiting the elevator system; and transporting the load in the second elevator car to the destination floor.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the moving step occurs substantially simultaneously with the first transporting step.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the providing step comprises: opening a first door on the first elevator car and a first door on the second elevator car when the first and second elevator cars arrive at the transfer floor such that the load is transferable via the transfer opening.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first door on the first elevator car and a first door on the second elevator car are opened substantially simultaneously.

12. An elevator system comprising: a first hoistway including a first elevator car for transporting passengers to a first group of floors; and a second hoistway including a second elevator car for transporting passengers to a second group of floors, wherein the second hoistway overlaps with the first hoistway on a first transfer floor, wherein the first transfer floor includes a first transfer opening between the first and second hoistways, and wherein the first and second elevator cars are configured to allow passengers to move between the first and second elevator cars via the first transfer opening when the first and second elevator cars are on the first transfer floor.

13. The elevator system of claim 12, wherein a first door of the first elevator car and a first door of the second elevator car open to the transfer opening when the first and second elevator cars are on or about on a same transfer floor.

14. The elevator system of claim 13, wherein the first doors open substantially simultaneously when the first and second elevator cars are on or about on the same transfer floor.

15. The elevator system of claim 12, wherein the first elevator car includes a second door to provide an opening from the elevator system.

16. The elevator system of claim 12, and further comprising: a third hoistway including a third elevator car for transporting passengers to a third group of floors, wherein the third hoistway overlaps with the second hoistway on a second transfer floor, wherein the second transfer floor includes a second transfer opening between the second and third hoistways, and wherein the second and third elevator cars are configured to allow passengers to move between the second and third elevator cars via the second transfer opening when the second and third elevator cars are on the second transfer floor.

17. The elevator system of claim 16, wherein the first door of the second elevator car and a first door of the third elevator car open to the second transfer opening when the second and third elevator cars are on the second transfer floor.

18. The elevator system of claim 12, wherein the first hoistway includes a third elevator car disposed vertically from the first elevator car in the first hoistway.

19. The elevator system of claim 1 , wherein the first elevator car includes a second door to provide an opening from the elevator system.