Apparatus for the load dependent control of an elevator

An apparatus for the load dependent control of an elevator comprising:

• a floor selector means for generating a next floor signal representing the next floor at which an associated elevator car could stop;
• a car load measuring device for generating a car load signal representing the number of passengers in the elevator car;
• a floor call memory for generating a floor call signal representing floor calls to be serviced by the elevator car;
• a floor load sensor means for generating a floor load signal representing the number of passengers waiting at the next floor at which the elevator car could stop;
• and
• means responsive to a floor call signal for said next floor, said next floor signal, said car load signal and said floor load signal for generating a stop signal to stop the elevator car at the next floor at which it could stop when the number of passengers in the elevator car and the number of passengers waiting at the next floor do not exceed a predetermined maximum number of passengers.

In an elevator control including a floor selector for generating a next floor signal representing the next floor at which an elevator car could stop, a floor call memory for generating floor call signals representing requests for service at floors served by the elevator and a control means for generating a stop signal indicating that the car is to stop at a selected floor, the control means comprising:

• a car load measuring device for generating a car load signal representing the number of passengers in an elevator car;
• a floor load sensor means for generating a signal representing the number of passengers waiting for service at an associated floor;
• enable means responsive to said car load signal and said floor load signal for generating an enable signal when the total number of passengers represented by said car load signal and said floor load signal does not exceed a predetermined limit;
• and
• logic means responsive to said enable signal, a next floor signal from a floor selector associated with the elevator car, and a floor call signal for a floor corresponding to the floor of said next floor signal for generating said stop signal.

A method of controlling an elevator car based upon load comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining the number of passengers in the elevator car;
• (b) determining the next floor at which the elevator car could stop;
• (c) determining the number of passengers waiting at said next floor;
• (d) summing the number of passengers determined in steps (a) and (c);
• (e) comparing the sum obtained in step (d) with a predetermined value;
• and
• (f) generating a stop signal if the sum is less than or equal to said predetermined value and a floor call has been assigned to the elevator car for said next floor to stop the elevator car at said next floor.