Long ago, people used primitive lifting tools to transport people and goods.

1100 BC

Reel shovel

↓

236 BC

Combined hoist and pulley system

↓

Early 19th century

Steam engine

↓

1889

Electrically powered

This means that elevators did not really appear until 1889. The development of elevator drive technology has gone through direct current motor drive, single-speed alternating current motor drive, two-speed alternating current motor drive, and now alternating current permanent magnet synchronous motor drive.

Since the development of electric drive, control has also gone through stages of relay control, PLC control, and microcomputer control, gradually moving towards integrated control.

• Relay control (now banned)
  

• PLC control (used for harsh environments or special elevators)

• Microcomputer control (currently the most popular)

Elevator classification by drive system

• Elevator with open-loop direct starting of single-phase AC induction motor drive system.

• Elevator with open-loop drive system with variable-pole speed control of two-speed AC motor.

• Elevator with closed-loop voltage and speed control system of two-speed AC motor.

• Elevator with closed-loop voltage and speed control system of two-speed AC motor (referred to as ACVV).

• Elevator with closed-loop voltage and speed control of single-speed AC motor (referred to as VVVF).

• Elevator with closed-loop voltage and speed control system of AC permanent magnet synchronous motor (referred to as VVVF).

• DC motor closed-loop voltage and speed control drive system.
  

Elevator classification by control system

• Elevator electrical control system with car hand switch control.

• Elevator electrical control system with car button switch control.
  

• Elevator electrical control system with landing button switch control.
  

• Elevator electrical control system with car and landing button switch control.
  

• Elevator electrical control system with signal control.
  

• Elevator electrical control system with group control.
  

• Elevator electrical control system with two parallel control.
  

• Elevator electrical control system with collective control.
  

Elevator classification by usage

Types of passenger elevators, ship elevators, miscellaneous elevators, outdoor freight elevators, vehicle elevators, tourist elevators, building construction elevators, medical elevators, and special elevators. Special elevators include inclined elevators, stereo parking garage elevators, fire elevators, refrigeration elevators, mine elevators, special elevators, sliding elevators, machine room elevators, door hoist elevators, and wheelchair elevators.

Elevator classification by management method

• Elevator electrical control system with dedicated driver.

• Elevator electrical control system without dedicated driver.

• Elevator electrical control system with or without dedicated driver.