Multi-Car Elevator control using dynamic zoning

Zone drive system is an effective way to safety control of Multi-Car Elevators. Zone is a constant range that restricts the movement of the car. So, constant zone decreases operating efficiency. On the other hand, operating methods without zone, such as scheduled operating, are able to operate efficiently. However, there is a problem that the cars may collide. To solve the problem, we propose a method for operating MCE by using dynamic zone allocation focusing on safety and to operate efficiently. In this study, zone is not constant range and defined as the occupied section assigned to a car. In the proposal method, zone is allocated to a car according to assignment of call to the car. Through two simulation experiments, we confirmed effectiveness of the proposal method for safety and operation efficiency, and discuss the efficiency of the proposal method for two typical patterns of passenger transportation.