No abstract

No abstract

This article presents an overview of the concept of a hypothetical three-dimensional elevator system in extra-large buildings. The term three dimensional is used in this context in order to contrast the system with current conventional one-dimensional elevator systems that move bi-directionally in a dedicated vertical shaft; or two-dimensional elevator system that moves in a plane (e.g. in x-horizontal direction and z-vertical direction). The hypothetical three-dimensional elevator system presented in this article assumes that the elevator car can travel in all three directions (but obviously not at the same time). The proposed system comprises a vertical main shaft that allows elevator cars to travel to the required floor, and then to travel in two dimensions in a horizontal plane at the level of the required floor along a network of horizontal shafts in both x- and y- directions. Each elevator car is dispatched to one floor only in each round trip. This is more efficient as it removes the need to visit more than one floor in each journey, but relies heavily on the use of destination group control systems (in order to allow the allocation of the passengers destined to the same floor to the same elevator car). The article presents the general overview of the suggested system using sketches and then derives equations for calculating the round trip time for the elevator car. The Monte Carlo Simulation method is then used to verify the correctness of the derived equations. Practical application: This manuscript provides a high level overview of the possible arrangement of a three-dimensional elevator traffic systems in a very large building. It can be used by architects to explore the possibility of employing a three-dimensional elevator system in a large building and checking its feasibility.

The idea of multicar operation within one hoistway is not new. Two-car systems are currently available on the market, whereby the two cars travel with restricted independence because one car must always remain above the other. With recent advances in linear machines, systems with more than two cars in one hoistway will soon become possible. In this paper, the authors go one step forward by assuming that multiple cars can move in a two-dimensional plane either attached to the facade of the building or across a vertical slice within the building. The analysis has been restricted at this stage to incoming traffic only. It is assumed that elevator cars can move upwards, downwards as well as sideways. In this way, passengers can exit at a stop very close to their destinations. The foreseeable technology is discussed, and two configurations (denoted as setups A and B) are proposed. The traffic analysis equations for such a system are also derived. A simulation is then carried out for the two setups based on one-car operation. The simulation shows that the proposed two-dimensional elevator system can reduce the total traveling time of a passenger as compared with the conventional one-dimensional setup. The system is described as special because the number of hoistways is restricted (up to a maximum of 2). Practical application: This paper provides a practical way of evaluating the round trip time for two different two-dimensional elevator applications. It also then compares three different sizes of buildings and shows that the use of two-dimensional elevator arrangements is only feasible for building with more than 30 floors high by 30 rooms wide.

No abstract