Introduction
Smart elevators use sensors to optimize operation. PIR sensors can detect if people are waiting or inside, enabling more efficient dispatching.
Applications in Elevators
Waiting Area Detection
Detect people waiting for elevator on each floor. If no one is waiting, elevator can skip that floor, saving time and energy.
Cabin Occupancy
Detect if people are inside the elevator. If empty, elevator can return to default floor or go to standby mode.
Direction Detection
With dual sensors, detect which direction people are moving (up/down) to pre-assign destination.
Sensor Placement
- Above elevator doors on each floor: Detect waiting passengers.
- Inside elevator cabin: Ceiling-mounted to detect occupancy.
Integration with Elevator Controller
PIR sensor outputs connect to the elevator control system. The controller uses this information to:
- Skip floors with no waiting passengers.
- Send empty elevators to most requested floor.
- Optimize group elevator dispatching.
Energy Savings
Studies show that elevator energy consumption can be reduced by 20-30% using occupancy-based dispatching.
Case Study: Office Building
An office building installed PIR sensors on each floor and in elevator cabins. The system learned traffic patterns and optimized dispatching. Average wait time decreased by 15% and energy use by 25%.
Conclusion
PIR sensors make elevators smarter, reducing wait times and saving energy. They are a low-cost addition to modern elevator systems.