Patent Description:
Typically, elevators are designed so as to move as many passengers between landings of the elevator as possible. There are, however, special use cases in which it is desirable to have social distance between the passengers. The case can be, for example, an epidemic, seasonal flue, etc., or in case of special elevators, such as the ones in hospitals, having stricter requirements with respect to human contacts. <CIT> discloses a method for operating an elevator system according to the state of the art, where it is made sure the wheelchair users are provided with sufficient space inside the car before boarding.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for operating an elevator system and an elevator system. Another objective of the present invention is that the method and the elevator system allow more distance to be held between the passengers utilizing the elevator car.

The objectives of the invention are reached by a method and an elevator system as defined by the respective independent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method according to claim <NUM> for operating an elevator system is provided.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise, in the special operating mode, visually and/or audibly indicating the determination of the special operating mode outside the elevator car.

According to the invention, the method comprises configuring a special capacity limit, such as of an elevator car, in the special operating mode to be lower than a nominal capacity limit in the nominal operating mode. Furthermore, the elevator system, or at least the respective elevator or elevator car, is arranged to issue an alert if the special capacity limit is exceeded, such as a visual and/or audible alert. The special capacity limit is related to a total weight of passengers inside the elevator car.

In various embodiments, the elevator system may comprises a group of elevator, wherein elevator cars of the group are movable in designated elevator shafts, in which case the method may comprise co-operating the elevator cars. For example, the method may comprise arranging, in the special operating mode, at least two of the elevator cars to the landing so as to allow distribution of the number of passengers into the at least two elevator cars. Alternatively or in addition, the method may comprise arranging, in the special operating mode, each one of the elevator cars which are empty to the landing so as to allow distribution of the number of passenger into the at least two elevator cars. Furthermore, alternatively or in addition, if the elevator control unit, or the calling system thereof or in connection thereto, is configured to record multiple calls from the landing, the method may comprise arranging, in the special operating mode, as many elevator cars to the landing as the number of calls from said landing. Still further, alternatively or in addition, the method may comprise arranging, in the special operating mode, all empty elevator cars to a main landing. In various embodiments, the method may comprise configuring, in the special operating mode, only the elevator car which is or cars which are empty to respond to the call.

In various embodiments, the method may comprise bypassing, in the special operating mode, the landings from which calls are recorded if the elevator car is not empty.

In various embodiments, the method may comprise utilizing, in the special operating mode, in response to the call, the elevator car which has been unused for the longest.

Furthermore, the method may comprise indicating instructions outside the elevator car instructing to enter the elevator car alone.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an elevator system according to claim <NUM> is provided.

The present invention provides a method for operating an elevator system and an elevator system. The present invention provides advantages over known solutions in that it allows maintaining distance between passengers in the elevator car.

Various other advantages will become clear to a skilled person based on the following detailed description.

The terms "first", "second", and so on are herein used to distinguish one element from other element, and not to specially prioritize or order them, if not otherwise explicitly stated.

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention presented herein are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used herein as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The present invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates schematically an elevator system <NUM>, or an elevator thereof, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The elevator system <NUM> may comprise an elevator car <NUM> arranged to be moved, or is movable, in an elevator shaft <NUM>. The moving of the elevator car <NUM> may be implemented, preferably, by a hoisting rope or belt <NUM> in connection with a traction sheave <NUM> or the like. Furthermore, the elevator <NUM> may comprise an elevator motor <NUM> arranged to operate, such as rotate, the traction sheave <NUM> for moving the elevator car <NUM>. The traction sheave <NUM> may be connected, via a mechanical connection <NUM>, directly or indirectly via a gear to a shaft of the motor <NUM>. The elevator system <NUM> may comprise a machine room or be machine roomless, such as have the motor <NUM> in the elevator shaft <NUM>. The elevator car <NUM> preferably comprises an interface, such as a car operating panel <NUM>, for example, for selecting the landing <NUM> to which the passenger wishes to travel. There may preferably also be landing call devices 19B being arranged to register calls for the elevator car <NUM>. The elevator system <NUM> may also comprise an elevator control unit <NUM> for controlling the operation of the elevator system <NUM>. The unit <NUM> may be a single unit or distributed in various positions, preferably, of the elevator system <NUM>.

Alternatively or in addition, there may be destination operating panel(s) (not shown in <FIG>) which may be arranged to various positions in the environment, such as the building, in which the elevator system <NUM> resides. The destination operating panel, if any, may be arranged to receive an elevator call for certain landing. Thus, the passenger already inputs the landing <NUM> to which he wishes to travel before entering the car <NUM>. The destination operating panel may be such that it can be connected with a remote terminal, such as a smart phone or an identification tag, of the passenger. Thus, the destination operating panel may comprise wireless communication means and/or tag readers or the like.

The elevator system <NUM> may preferably comprise at least one hoisting machinery brake <NUM> configured for resisting or, preferably, preventing the movement of the motor <NUM>, that is the rotor thereof, directly or via the traction sheave <NUM> or components thereof and/or therebetween. Furthermore, the elevator system <NUM> may comprise a brake controller <NUM> configured to operate at least one of the at least one hoisting machinery brake <NUM>.

There may additionally be, at least in some embodiments, a counterweight <NUM> arranged in connection with the elevator car <NUM> such as is known to a person skilled in the art of elevators. Still further, the elevator system <NUM> may additionally comprise a guide rail <NUM> or rails <NUM> arranged into the elevator shaft <NUM> for guiding the movement of the elevator car <NUM>.

The elevator system <NUM> of <FIG> further comprises an electrical converter unit <NUM>, such as including an inverter or a frequency converter, for connecting to, and controlling the operation of, the motor <NUM>. The electrical converter unit <NUM> may be arranged to provide electrical power (signals), such as having variable voltage and variable frequency, to the windings of the elevator motor <NUM>.

The elevator system <NUM> preferably comprises landings <NUM> or landing floors <NUM> and, for example, landing floor doors and/or openings, between which the elevator car <NUM> is arranged to be moved during nominal operation of the elevator system <NUM>, such as to move persons and/or items between said floors <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates schematically an elevator system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The elevator system <NUM> may comprise two or at least two, such as three, elevators, that is, comprising at least two, such as three, elevator cars 10A-10C arranged to be moved in their respective elevator shafts 12A-12C. The elevator system <NUM> may be similar to the one illustrated in and described in connection with <FIG> with respect to a single or some or each of the elevator cars 10A-10C and elevator shafts 12A-12C. Thus, <FIG> may illustrate a group of elevators, the elevator cars 10A-10C of which may be arranged to serve the same landings <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates schematically an elevator car <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The elevator car <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and/or described in the following may be utilized in an elevator having a single elevator car <NUM> and shaft <NUM> or as one or several of the elevator cars 10A-10C of a group of elevators. The elevator car <NUM> preferably comprises an interface, such as a car operating panel <NUM>, for example, for selecting the landing <NUM> to which the passenger wishes to travel.

The elevator system <NUM> comprises a load determining device for determining a number of passengers inside the elevator car <NUM>. In <FIG>, the load determining device is a weighing device <NUM> which is arranged into the elevator car <NUM> and is arranged, such as to the floor of the car <NUM>, to measure the total weight of the passengers and/or other material to be transported inside the car <NUM>. In another embodiment, the weighing device <NUM> may be arranged into some other position of the elevator car <NUM> or even outside thereof for substantially directly or indirectly determining the loading of the elevator car <NUM>.

In some other embodiments, the load determining device may be arranged inside or outside of the elevator car <NUM> and arranged to determine the number of passengers by utilizing a visual sensor, such as a camera, for determining the amount of passengers inside the car <NUM> or entering the car <NUM>.

Still in another embodiments, the load determining device may be arranged in connection to the hoisting rope <NUM> and/or the elevator motor <NUM> and/or the traction sheave <NUM> for determining the loading of the elevator car <NUM>.

Furthermore, the load determining device, such as the weighing device <NUM>, is utilized to determining the loading and to compare it to the special capacity limit in the special operating mode in accordance with the invention. The elevator car <NUM> may be configured to stay at the landing <NUM> as long as the special capacity limit is being exceeded, that is with respect to the total weight and/or the number of passengers. If the loading exceeds the special capacity limit, the elevator system <NUM>, or specifically an elevator car <NUM> thereof, is arranged to produce an alert which may be a visual and/or audible alert. The alert may be arranged to instruct the passengers about having too many of them in the elevator car <NUM> and, optionally, recommend that one or some of the passengers would leave the car <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Step <NUM> refers to a start-up phase of the method. Suitable equipment and components are obtained and systems assembled and configured for operation. In various embodiments, the elevator system <NUM> as schematically illustrated in <FIG> or <FIG>, and, optionally, the elevator car <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, may be arranged into operation. Furthermore, what is described hereinabove in connection to <FIG>, however, not visible in the figures, may also apply depending on the embodiment.

Step <NUM> refers to determining a special operating mode of the elevator system <NUM>, the special operating mode being different from a nominal operating mode at least with respect to a characteristic of use of the elevator car <NUM>.

The characteristic of use may refer herein to a method of operating the elevator car or cars <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM>. For example, it may refer to which elevator car or cars <NUM> are being arranged to a landing in response to elevator call performed by a passenger to be. On the other hand, it may refer to adapting a capacity limit of the elevator car <NUM>, thereby affecting, for example, the maximum amount of passengers allowed to be in the car <NUM> at the same time.

The determination of the special operating mode may be performed, for example, by changing the mode of the elevator system <NUM> by an operator via or in the elevator control unit <NUM>, for instance. Alternatively, the determination may be performed based on a timing sequence, such as, utilizing the special operating mode during certain time periods, such as in the evenings. Further, the special operating mode may be initiated remotely.

Step <NUM> refers to operating, in the special operating mode, the elevator system <NUM> so as to reduce a number of passengers entering the elevator car <NUM> from the landing <NUM> compared to the nominal operating mode based on the characteristic.

The method comprises configuring a special capacity limit in the special operating mode to be lower than the nominal capacity limit in the nominal operating mode. The special capacity limit is related to a total weight of passengers inside the elevator car <NUM> or it may be related to a number of passengers inside the elevator car <NUM>.

In some embodiments, wherein the elevator system <NUM> comprises a group of elevators, such as comprising at least two elevator cars 10A-10C arranged to be moved, that is being movable, in designated elevator shafts 12A-12C, the method comprising co-operating the elevator cars 10A-10C. Optionally, the method may comprise arranging, in the special operating mode, each one of the elevator cars <NUM> which are empty to the landing <NUM> so as to allow distribution of the number of passenger into the at least two elevator cars <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise configuring, in the special operating mode, only the elevator car <NUM> which is or cars <NUM> which are empty to respond to the call.

Method execution may be stopped at step <NUM>. The elevator system <NUM> may be continued to operate in the special operating mode or it may be switched back to the nominal operating mode.

Furthermore, the method may comprise, in the special operating mode, visually and/or audibly indicating the determination of the special operating mode outside the elevator car. The elevator system <NUM>, or at least the elevator and/or the elevator car <NUM>; 10A-10C thereof, is arranged to issue an alert if the special capacity limit is exceeded.

In case of at least two elevator cars, the method may comprise arranging, in the special operating mode, at least two of the elevator cars <NUM> to the landing so as to allow distribution of the number of passenger into the at least two elevator cars <NUM>.

Furthermore, the elevator control unit <NUM> may be configured to record multiple calls from the landing <NUM>, such as two passengers may input an elevator call wishing to travel into the same or different landing <NUM>. The method may then comprise arranging, in the special operating mode, as many elevator cars 10A-10C to the landing <NUM> as the number of elevator calls from said landing <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the method may comprise arranging, in the special operating mode, all empty elevator cars 10A-10C to a main landing. The main landing may be, for example, the street level landing or other such a landing which is typically the landing from which the passengers enter the elevator car <NUM>; 10A-10C or which is their destination from other landings <NUM>.

Furthermore, the method may comprise bypassing, in the special operating mode, the landings <NUM> from which calls are recorded if the elevator car <NUM> is not empty.

In various embodiments, the method may comprise utilizing, in the special operating mode, in response to the elevator call, the elevator car <NUM> which has been unused for the longest.

Additionally, the method may comprise indicating instructions outside the elevator car <NUM>; 10A-10C instructing to enter the elevator car <NUM>; 10A-10C alone.

<FIG> illustrates schematically an elevator system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The elevator system <NUM> may be a group of elevators that comprises at least two elevator cars <NUM>, or at least three, arranged to be moved in their respective elevator shafts <NUM>. In <FIG>, three passengers are shown which have an intention to enter an elevator car 10A-10C of the elevator system <NUM>.

The elevator system <NUM> may comprise landing call devices 19B being arranged to register elevator calls for the elevator car <NUM>. The elevator system <NUM> may also comprise an elevator control unit <NUM> for controlling the operation of the elevator system <NUM>. The unit <NUM> may be a single unit or distributed in various positions, preferably, of the elevator system <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, there may be destination operating panel(s) <NUM> which may be arranged to various positions in the environment, such as the building, in which the elevator <NUM> resides. The destination operating panel <NUM>, if any, may be arranged to receive a call to move an elevator car <NUM> certain landing <NUM>. Thus, the passenger already inputs the landing <NUM> to which he wishes to travel before entering the car <NUM>.

The destination operating panel <NUM> may be such that it can be connected with a remote terminal <NUM>, such as a smart phone or an identification tag, of the passenger. In case of the remote terminal <NUM>, the destination operating panel <NUM> may be comprised in the elevator control unit <NUM> having also a wireless communication device therein. Thus, the destination operating panel <NUM> may comprise wireless communication device and/or tag readers or the like.

In <FIG>, an instruction device <NUM> is shown. The instruction device <NUM> may be, for example, a display screen for displaying instruction to the passengers. It may include informing the passengers about the special operating mode of the elevator system <NUM>, such as about the special capacity limit. The instruction device <NUM> may, alternatively or in addition, comprise a speaker configured to provide audible instructions.

<FIG> illustrates schematically an elevator control unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. External units <NUM> may be connected to a communication interface <NUM> of the elevator control unit <NUM>. External unit <NUM> may comprise wireless connection or a connection by a wired manner. The communication interface <NUM> may provide interface for communication with external units <NUM> such as the elevator car(s) <NUM>; 10A-10C, the doors of the landing floors <NUM>, the car operating panels <NUM>, the landing call devices 19B, destination operating panels <NUM>, and/or the electrical converter unit <NUM> to the elevator control unit <NUM>. There may also be connecting to the external system, such as a laptop or a handheld device or remote terminals <NUM>. There may also be a connection to a database of the elevator system <NUM> or an external database including information used in controlling the operation of the elevator system <NUM>.

The elevator control unit <NUM> may comprise one or more processors <NUM>, one or more memories <NUM> being volatile or non-volatile for storing portions of computer program code 607A-607N and any data values and possibly one or more user interface units <NUM>. The mentioned elements may be communicatively coupled to each other with e.g. an internal bus.

Claim 1:
A method for operating an elevator system (<NUM>), wherein the elevator system (<NUM>) comprises an elevator car (<NUM>; 10A-10C) movable between landings (<NUM>), such as in response to an elevator call registered by an elevator control unit (<NUM>), wherein the elevator car (<NUM>; 10A-10C) is configured to include a nominal capacity limit in a nominal operating mode, and a special capacity limit lower than the nominal capacity limit in a special operating mode, wherein the special capacity limit is related to a total weight of passengers inside the elevator car (<NUM>; 10A-10C), the method comprising:
- determining (<NUM>) the special operating mode of the elevator system (<NUM>), the special operating mode being different from the nominal operating mode at least with respect to a characteristic of use of the elevator car (<NUM>; 10A-10C), and
- operating (<NUM>), in the special operating mode, the elevator system (<NUM>) so as to reduce a number of passengers entering the elevator car (<NUM>; 10A-10C) from the landing (<NUM>) compared to the nominal operating mode based on the characteristic by issuing an alert if the special capacity limit is exceeded inside the elevator car based on a measurement by a load weighing device (<NUM>) arranged to determine the total weight.