WO2010040899A1

WO2010040899A1 - Elevator system

Info

Publication number: WO2010040899A1
Application number: PCT/FI2009/050799
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Fonsato
Original assignee: Kone Corp
Current assignee: Kone Corp
Priority date: 2008-10-09
Filing date: 2009-10-06
Publication date: 2010-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-09
Also published as: FI121064B; FI20080554L; FI121849B; FI20080554A0; FI20080626L; FI20080626A0

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator system (1), which comprises a control arrangement for placing the elevator system into energy-saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode. In energy-saving mode the electricity supply to the elevator system (1) is disconnected wholly or partially. The aforementioned control arrangement comprises at least one sensor (2) that detects the presence of an elevator passenger, which sensor fitted in connection with a floor level (3) of the elevator system. The aforementioned sensor (2) is fitted to receive from the floor level (3) a wirelessly propagated signal (4) that determines the presence of a passenger.

Description

ELEVATOR SYSTEM

The object of the invention is an elevator system as defined in the preamble of claim 1 , a control apparatus as defined in the preamble of claim 7, and a method as defined in the preamble of 9.

Prior-art solutions exist in which the electricity supply of an elevator system is disconnected during the standstill time of the elevator in order to reduce the energy consumption of the elevator system. In this case when the standstill time of the elevator exceeds a certain time limit, the elevator system switches to energy-saving mode. In energy-saving mode the electricity supply is disconnected, e.g. by extinguishing the power source of the elevator control electronics. The control apparatus of the elevator determines switching to energy-saving mode and deactivating energy-saving mode e.g. on the basis of landing calls sent from the floor levels or on the basis of car calls sent from an elevator car.

Surplus processing capacity is required of the control apparatus of the elevator so that the control apparatus is able to manage normal elevator monitoring and traffic control functions as well as to additionally determine switching to the energy-saving mode of the elevator system and deactivating energy-saving mode.

Subsequently adding an energy-saving function of an elevator to an existing elevator system is difficult because the function should be added to the software of the control apparatus of the elevator. At the same time care must be taken that the processing capacity of the control apparatus is also sufficient for implementing the energy-saving function. Furthermore the connections of the control circuits of the elevator system must also be changed, so that controlled disconnection of the power supply in connection with energy-saving mode is possible. Publication JP2005212921 presents an elevator control arrangement, which comprises a switch for disconnecting the power supply both from the control electronics as well as from the main circuit of the power supply appliance of the motor. Disconnection of the power supply is controlled on the basis of landing calls.

The purpose of the invention is to solve the aforementioned problems as well as the problems disclosed in the description of the invention below. One object of the invention is to disclose a control arrangement of an energy-saving mode, which from the viewpoint of an elevator passenger is easier to use than prior art.

The elevator system according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1. The control apparatus according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 7. The method according to the invention for placing an elevator system into energy-saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 9. Other features of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims. Some inventive embodiments are also discussed in the descriptive section of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The elevator system according to the invention comprises a control arrangement for placing the elevator system into energy-saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode, in which energy-saving mode the electricity supply to the elevator system is disconnected wholly or partially. The aforementioned control arrangement comprises at least one sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger, which sensor is fitted in connection with a floor level of the elevator system, which aforementioned sensor is fitted to receive from the floor level a wirelessly propagated signal that determines the presence of a passenger. Switching into the aforementioned energy-saving mode and/or the deactivation of energy-saving mode is controlled on the basis of the signal that is received by the aforementioned sensor and that determines the presence of a passenger.

The invention also relates to a control apparatus for placing an elevator system into energy-saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode. In energy- saving mode the electricity supply to the elevator system is disconnected wholly or partially. The control apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger, which sensor is fitted to receive a wirelessly propagated signal that determines the presence of a passenger. The control apparatus is fitted to place the elevator system into energy-saving mode and/or to deactivate energy-saving mode on the basis of the signal that is received by the aforementioned sensor and that determines the presence of a passenger.

In the method according to the invention for placing an elevator system into energy-saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode: at least one sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is fitted in connection with a floor level of the elevator system; a wirelessly propagated signal that determines the presence of a passenger is received with the sensor from the floor level; the elevator system is switched to energy-saving mode on the basis of the aforementioned wirelessly propagated signal that signal determines the presence of a passenger and/or the energy-saving mode of the elevator system is deactivated on the basis of the aforementioned wirelessly propagated signal that determines the presence of a passenger; in energy-saving mode the electricity supply to the elevator system is disconnected wholly or partially; and after energy-saving mode is deactivated the electricity supply to the elevator system is permitted.

In one embodiment of the invention the sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger comprises a proximity sensor. In one embodiment of the invention a transmitter is fitted in connection with the sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger, which transmitter is fitted to send a wirelessly propagated excitation signal to the floor level. In this case the sensor is fitted to receive a signal that is reflected from the floor level and that is based on the aforementioned wirelessly propagated excitation signal. The aforementioned wirelessly propagated excitation signal is reflected or absorbed from the people present on the floor level, in which case the signal based on the excitation signal and reflected from the floor level changes. The presence of a passenger can in this case be determined from a change occurring in the reflected signal.

In one embodiment of the invention the sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger comprises a photocell fitted in connection with a floor level. In this case a transmitter can be fitted to transmit an electromagnetic signal, which the receiver reads. Disconnection of the received signal indicates that a passenger has arrived in the floor area, between the transmitter and the receiver.

In one embodiment of the invention the sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger comprises an RFID reader. In one embodiment of the invention the sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is fitted to receive an acoustic signal from a floor level, and also to determine the presence of an elevator passenger on the basis of the acoustic signal received from a floor level. The aforementioned acoustic signal can be e.g. an ultrasound signal.

The electromagnet signal according to the invention can be e.g. a radio- frequency (RF) signal. The wavelength of the signal can in this case be fitted e.g. to the infrared range, to the millimetric wave range or to the microwave range. In one embodiment of the invention 24.05 - 24.25 gigahertz is fitted to be the frequency of the electromagnet signal. The frequency range of the electromagnetic signal can also comprise more than one frequency.

In one embodiment of the invention the control signal generated by the sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is transferred via a communications channel to the control of the switch that disconnects the electricity supply of the elevator system. The aforementioned communications channel can be e.g. a parallel bus or a serial bus. The communications channel can also be a wireless data transfer channel. In one embodiment of the invention at least two sensors that detect the presence of an elevator passenger are connected to the communications channel, which sensors are fitted to the elevator system in connection with different floor levels.

In one embodiment of the invention the control arrangement is fitted to deactivate the energy-saving mode of the elevator system when a signal that determines the presence of an elevator passenger indicates the presence of an elevator passenger on a floor level.

In one embodiment of the invention a controllable switch for disconnecting the electricity supply circuit of the elevator system is fitted to disconnect the electricity supply in the control circuit of the machinery brake of the elevator and/or in the main circuit of the power supply apparatus of the elevator motor.

In one embodiment of the invention the control, arrangement comprises a control apparatus of energy-saving mode. The aforementioned sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is incorporated in the aforementioned control apparatus of energy-saving mode. The aforementioned control apparatus of energy-saving mode is made to be separate from the rest of the elevator control system, and the control apparatus of energy-saving mode is arranged to disconnect the electricity supply of all the rest of the elevator system.

The elevator system according to the invention can comprise a freight elevator and/or a passenger elevator. The elevator system can be provided with a counterweight or can be one without a counterweight. On the other hand, the invention is suited for use also in a positive drive elevator system or in a crane system.

The aforementioned controllable switch that disconnects the electricity supply circuit of the elevator system can be e.g. a relay, a contactor, an IGBT transistor, a MOSFET transistor, a thyristor or corresponding.

With the invention at least one of the following advantages, among others, is achieved:

In one embodiment of the invention the movement of a passenger, such as e.g. the speed and/or position of a passenger on a floor level, is determined from a wirelessly propagated signal, e.g. from a microwave signal, utilizing the Doppler effect of the signal. In the Doppler effect, the frequency of the wave movement reflected from an object changes when the object moves. In this case it is possible to determine e.g. from the frequency and/or from the phase of the signal whether a person has stopped to wait for an elevator, or whether he/she is only moving through the floor level. If the person is only moving through the floor level, it is not necessarily needed to deactivate an existing energy-saving mode. When using the Doppler effect or corresponding for determination of the movement of an object it is also possible to forecast movement of an object, in which case e.g. an energy-saving mode can possibly be deactivated even before the passenger has arrived on a floor level.

When switching into energy-saving mode of the elevator system and/or the deactivation of energy-saving mode is controlled on the basis of a wirelessly propagated signal received by a sensor that determines the presence of an elevator passenger, the energy-saving mode can be deactivated without special actions, such as pressing a landing call button, being needed from the elevator passenger. In addition, the control apparatus of energy-saving mode can in this case be made to be separate from the rest of the elevator control system. This type of control apparatus can also be easily fitted into an existing elevator system, e.g. in connection with modernization of an elevator system.

In one embodiment of the invention the electricity supply of all the rest of the elevator system is disconnected with the control apparatus of energy-saving mode according to the invention, in which case the energy consumption during the energy-saving mode of the elevator system is formed essentially from just the power requirement of the control apparatus of energy-saving mode.

In one embodiment of the invention the control apparatus of energy-saving mode comprises a memory, in which are stored the parameters of the energy- saving mode. This type of parameter of energy-saving mode can be e.g. a time delay, after the expiry of which an elevator system that has remained unused is switched to energy-saving mode. A number of different values can also be selected for the aforementioned time delay. The time delay used can be selected e.g. according to the time of day, in which case the elevator system can switch to energy-saving mode faster e.g. a night-time, when there is less elevator traffic. On the other hand, the lighting in elevator systems is often fitted to be disconnected during a standstill of the elevator with a certain time delay; in this case the aforementioned time delay, after which the elevator system is switched to energy-saving mode can be selected on the basis of the aforementioned time delay of the lighting of the elevator system, e.g. such that the time delay of energy-saving mode is longer than the time delay of the lighting.

Presentation of drawings

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid of a few examples of its embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 presents one elevator system according to the invention

Fig. 2 presents one sensor that detects the presence of a passenger according to the invention, fitted in connection with a floor level

Fig. 3 presents a second sensor that detects the presence of a passenger according to the invention, fitted in connection with a floor level

Fig. 4 presents a top view of a third sensor that detects the presence of a passenger according to the invention, fitted in connection with a floor level

Fig. 5 presents one control apparatus according to the invention for placing an elevator system into energy- saving mode or for deactivatiing energy-saving mode Fig. 6 presents a time chart of a control of energy-saving mode according to the invention

Embodiments

Fig. 1 presents an elevator system 1 , into which is fitted a control arrangement for placing the elevator system into energy-saving mode and/or for deactivating energy-saving mode. In the elevator system 1 the elevator car 14 and also the counterweight are supported with elevator ropes that pass via the traction sheave of the elevator motor 13. The elevator car is moved between the floor levels 3 in the elevator hoistway 17 in a manner that is, in itself, prior art. The elevator control apparatus 15 endeavors to adjust the movement of the elevator car according to the reference for movement, by controlling the electricity supply of the elevator motor. In this embodiment of the invention the electricity supply to the elevator motor occurs with a frequency converter. The electricity supply to the elevator motor as well as to e.g. to control devices of the elevator system, to the lighting of the elevator car and of the elevator hoistway as well as to the safety devices of the elevator system occurs from the electricity network 20 via an electricity supply circuit 8.

Sensors 2, 2', 2" that determine the presence of an elevator passenger are fitted in connection with the floor levels 3, 3', 3" of the elevator system 1. A transmitter 5, 5', 5", which transmits microwave-frequency electromagnetic radiation 6 to the floor level, is fitted into the enclosure of the sensor 2, 2', 2". Some of the radiation 6 transmitted to the floor level is reflected back from the floor level towards the sensor 2. The sensor 2 also comprises a receiver, which is fitted to receive radiation 4 reflected from the floor level 3. When a user of the elevator arrives at the floor level 3", some of the microwave-frequency radiation 6 transmitted by the transmitter 5" reflects from the user of the elevator, in which case the frequency, phase and/or amplitude of the radiation 4 returned to the sensor from the floor level changes. That being the case, when the sensor 2" detects a change in the radiation 4 returning from a floor level, it determines the presence of an elevator passenger on the floor level. In this case the sensor 2" sends a control signal 9 of energy-saving mode to the controller 16 of energy-saving mode, via the communications channel made between the controller and the sensor 2".

After the electricity network interface 20, a contactor 7 is fitted in connection with the electricity supply circuit 8 of the elevator system for disconnecting the power supply circuit of the elevator system. The controller 16 of energy-saving mode determines switching into energy-saving mode and/or the deactivation of energy-saving mode on the basis of the control signal 9 of energy-saving mode received from the sensors 2, 2', 2" that detect the presence of an elevator passenger. The controller 16 of energy-saving mode also comprises an input for the signal expressing the operating mode of the elevator control apparatus 15. Thus switching to energy-saving mode can be prevented e.g. in the situation in which elevator passengers are still being served; switching to energy-saving mode can in this case be prevented e.g. during a run of the elevator. The controller 16 of energy-saving mode switches the elevator system 1 to energy- saving mode after a determined time delay from the latest received control signal 9 of energy-saving mode. This time delay can be e.g. 15 minutes, and the time delay can also vary e.g. according to the time of day such that at night the time delay is shorter, When the controller 16 of energy-saving mode controls the contacts of the contactor 7 open, the electricity supply to the electricity supply circuit 8 of the elevator system ceases and the elevator system switches to energy-saving mode. In energy-saving mode the energy consumption of the elevator system is formed essentially from just the energy requirement of the controller 16 of energy-saving mode and the sensors fitted to the floor levels 3, 3', 3". The electricity supply to the controller 16 of energy- saving mode and to the sensors 2, 2', 2" that detect the presence of a passenger are taken from the electricity network interface 20 before the contactor 7.

When it receives a new control signal 9 of energy-saving mode, the controller 16 of energy-saving mode deactivates energy-saving mode. In this case the controller 16 controls the contacts of the contactor 7 closed, and the electricity supply from the electricity network 20 to the electricity supply circuit 8 of the elevator system can continue.

Fig. 2 presents one sensor 2 that detects the presence of a passenger, which sensor is fitted in connection with a floor level 3 of the elevator system. The sensors presented in the embodiment of Fig. 1 can be replaced with this type of sensor; on the other hand the sensor can also be used together with the sensors presented in the embodiment of Fig. 1 , in which case the detection of the presence of a passenger on a floor level can be further improved. Fig. 2 contains a sensor 2 that comprises a photocell fitted on the path of passage of a passenger. The transmitter 6 and the receiver 2 are fixed on opposite walls on the floor level. The transmitter 6 is fitted to transmit an electromagnetic signal, which the receiver 2 receives. When a person arrives between the transmitter and the receiver, the signal received by the receiver 2 is broken. On the basis of the disconnection of the signal, the receiver deduces the presence of a passenger, and also forms a control signal 9 of energy-saving mode.

Fig. 3 presents a camera 2 that detects the presence of an elevator passenger, which camera is fitted in connection with a floor level 3 of the elevator system. The sensors presented in the embodiment of Fig. 1 can, for example, be replaced with a camera; on the other hand a camera can also be used together with the sensors presented in the embodiment of Fig. 1 and/or of Fig. 2, in which case the detection of the presence of a passenger on a floor level can be further improved. The camera 2 is aligned to receive electromagnetic radiation 4 from the floor level 3. An image recognition processor 22 is fitted in connection with the camera. The camera 2 forms an image of the floor level on the basis of the electromagnetic radiation it receives, which image is transferred to the image recognition processor 22, via the data bus between the camera and the processor. The processor 22 analyzes the image received using image recognition algorithms, and on the basis of the analysis the processor 22 determines the presence of an elevator passenger on a floor level 3. When it deduces the presence of an elevator passenger, the processor 22 sends a control signal 9 of energy-saving mode.

Fig. 4 presents a third sensor 2 that detects the presence of a passenger, which sensor is fitted in connection with a floor level 3 of the elevator system. The floor level 3 and the sensor 2 are illustrated from above. The sensors presented in the embodiment of Fig. 1 can, for example, be replaced with this type of sensor 2; on the other hand the sensor can also be used together with the sensors presented in the embodiment of Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 and/or Fig. 3, in which case the detection of the presence of a passenger on a floor level can be further improved. In Fig. 4 the sensor comprises a piezoelectric crystal, which functions both as a part of the ultrasound transmitter/ sounder 5 and as a receiver 2 of the ultrasound signal, i.e. echo, reflected from the floor level 3. In this embodiment of the invention the presence of a passenger on a floor level is detected from the amplitude of the echo reflected back from the passenger and received by the sensor being lower than the amplitude of the echo reflected back from the wall. In this case when the amplitude of the echo decreases, the sensor generates a control signal of energy-saving mode. In this embodiment of the invention the presence of a passenger in the shaded cone-like area of the floor level 3 can be determined with an ultrasound signal.

Fig. 5 presents one control apparatus 11 for placing an elevator system into energy-saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode. A contactor 7 is fitted in connection with the interface of the electricity supply of the elevator system, after the fuse board 19, via which contactor the electricity supply to the electrification 8 of the elevator system occurs. The control coil of the contactor 7 is taken to a timer 18, which determines the starting of energy-saving mode. The control apparatus 1 1 comprises sensors 2 that detect the presence of an elevator passenger, which sensors are fitted to receive a wirelessly propagated signal that determines the presence of a passenger. The sensor 2 comprises a two-pole switch, which closes when it detects the presence of a passenger in the area monitored by the sensor 2. The switches of the sensors 2 are connected in parallel with each other, and the parallel circuit is taken to the timer 18 with two conductors. The closing of an individual switch and in this case the presence of an elevator passenger on a floor level can be detected as a short-circuit between the conductors with the timer 18. When the switch closes the timer controls the contactor 7 closed, in which case the electricity supply to the electrification 8 of the elevator system can continue. When all the switches have opened, the timer starts to measure the standstill time of the elevator. When the standstill time exceeds a waiting time delay programmed into the timer 18, the timer controls the contactor 7 open, the electricity supply to the electrification of the elevator system ceases and the elevator system switches to energy-saving mode,

Fig. 6 presents one time chart of the control of energy-saving mode of an elevator system 1. The sensor that detects the presence of an elevator passenger forms a control signal 9 of energy-saving mode when it detects the presence of a passenger on a floor level. When the time between control signals 9 exceeds a determined time delay 10, the control apparatus 11 switches the elevator system 1 to energy-saving mode. In this case the electricity supply to the elevator system 1 is disconnected wholly or partially. When it detects a new control signal 9 of energy-saving mode, the control apparatus 11 deactivates energy-saving mode. In this case the electricity supply to the elevator system 1 continues after a starting delay 21 that is specific to the elevator system.

The invention is described above by the aid of a few examples of its embodiment. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but that many other applications are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims presented below.

In one embodiment of the invention at least a part of the control apparatus 11 is integrated into some second control device of the elevator system.

Claims

1. Elevator system (1 ), which comprises a control arrangement for placing the elevator system into energy-saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode, in which energy-saving mode the electricity supply to the elevator system (1 ) is disconnected wholly or partially, characterized in that the aforementioned control arrangement comprises at least one sensor (2) that detects the presence of an elevator passenger, which sensor is fitted in connection with a floor level (3) of the elevator system, which aforementioned sensor (2) is fitted to receive from the floor level

(3) a wirelessly propagated signal (4) that determines the presence of a passenger, and in that switching into the aforementioned energy-saving mode and/or the deactivation of energy-saving mode is controlled on the basis of the aforementioned signal (4) received by the sensor (2), which signal determines the presence of a passenger,

2. Elevator system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the aforementioned sensor (2) is fitted to receive electromagnetic radiation

(4) of the determined frequency from a floor level (3), and in that switching into the aforementioned energy-saving mode and/or the deactivation of energy-saving mode is controlled on the basis of the aforementioned electromagnetic radiation (4) received by the sensor (2).

3. Elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one transmitter (5) is fitted in connection with a floor level (3) for transmitting a wirelessly propagated excitation signal (6) to a floor level (3), and in that the sensor (2) that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is fitted to receive from the floor level (3) a signal (4) that determines the presence of a passenger and that is based on the aforementioned wirelessly propagated excitation signal (6).

4. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement comprises a controllable switch (7) for disconnecting the electricity supply circuit (8) of the elevator system, the sensor (2) that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is fitted to form a control signal (9) of energy-saving mode in response to the aforementioned signal (4) that determines the presence of a passenger and that is received from a floor landing, and in that the aforementioned switch (7) is controlled on the basis of the aforementioned control signal (9) of energy-saving mode.

5. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement is fitted to switch the elevator system (1 ) into energy-saving mode after a determined time delay (10) from when the signal (4) that determines the presence of an elevator passenger last indicated the presence of an elevator passenger on a floor level (3).

6. Elevator system according to claim 5, characterized in that a first sensor (2) that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is fitted in connection with a floor level (3) of the elevator system, a second sensor

(2') that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is fitted in connection with some second floor level (3') of the elevator system, and in that the control arrangement is fitted to switch the elevator system (1 ) into energy-saving mode after a determined time delay (10) from when the aforementioned first (2) or a second (2') sensor that detects the presence of a elevator passenger last received a signal (4) that determines the presence of an elevator passenger and that indicates the presence of an elevator passenger on a floor level.

7. Elevator system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement comprises a control apparatus (11 ) of energy-saving mode,

and in that the aforementioned sensor (2) that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is incorporated in the aforementioned control apparatus (11 ) of energy-saving mode,

and in that the aforementioned control apparatus (11 ) of energy-saving mode is made to be separate from the rest of the elevator control system,

and in that the control apparatus (11 ) of energy-saving mode is arranged to disconnect the electricity supply of all the rest of the elevator system

(1 ).

8. Control apparatus (11 ) for placing an elevator system (1 ) into energy- saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode, in which energy-saving mode the electricity supply to the elevator system is disconnected wholly or partially, characterized in that the control arrangement (11 ) comprises at least one sensor (2) that detects the presence of an elevator passenger, which sensor is fitted to receive a wirelessly propagated signal (4) that determines the presence of a passenger, and in that the control apparatus (1 1 ) is fitted to place the elevator system (1 ) into energy-saving mode and/or to deactivate energy-saving mode on the basis of the aforementioned signal (4) received by the sensor, which signal determines the presence of a passenger.

9. Control apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the aforementioned sensor (2) is fitted to receive electromagnetic radiation (4) of the determined frequency from a floor level (3), and in that the control apparatus (1 1 ) is fitted to place the elevator system (1 ) into energy-saving mode and/or to deactivate energy-saving mode on the basis of the aforementioned electromagnetic radiation (4) received by the sensor (2).

10. Control apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the control apparatus (1 1 ) is made to be separate from the rest of the elevator control system,

and in that the control apparatus (1 1 ) is arranged to disconnect the electricity supply of all the rest of the elevator system (1 ).

1 1 . Method for placing an elevator system into energy-saving mode and for deactivating energy-saving mode, characterized in that:

- at least one sensor (2) that detects the presence of an elevator passenger is fitted in connection with a floor level (3) of the elevator system

- a wirelessly propagated signal (4) that determines the presence of a passenger is received with the sensor (2) from a floor level (3)

- the elevator system (1 ) is switched to energy-saving mode on the basis of the aforementioned wirelessly propagated signal (4) that determines the presence of a passenger and/or - the energy-saving mode of the elevator system (1 ) is deactivated on the basis of the aforementioned wirelessly propagated signal (4) that signal determines the presence of a passenger

- in energy-saving mode the electricity supply to the elevator system (1 ) is disconnected wholly or partially

- and after energy-saving mode is deactivated the electricity supply to the elevator system (1 ) is permitted

12. Method according to claim 1 1 , characterized in that:

- the control apparatus (1 1 ) of energy-saving mode is made to be separate from the rest of the elevator control system

- the electricity supply of all the rest of the elevator system (1 ) is disconnected with the control apparatus (1 1 ) of energy-saving mode

13. Method according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that:

- electromagnetic radiation (4) of a determined frequency is received with the sensor (2) from the floor level (3)

- the elevator system (1 ) is switched to energy-saving mode on the basis of the aforementioned electromagnetic radiation (4) received and/or

- energy-saving mode of the elevator system is deactivated on the basis of the aforementioned electromagnetic radiation (4) received