CABLE SECTION AND METHOD FOR SPLICING A CABLE WHICH FORMS A PERSON TRANSPORTING WIRE CABLE

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20200165775
  • Publication Number
    20200165775
  • Date Filed
    July 20, 2018
    6 years ago
  • Date Published
    May 28, 2020
    4 years ago
Abstract
A rope portion of a rope that forms a person transporting wire rope having a diameter d, in particular of an endless rope, having at least one splice which is embodied as a long splice and which has a plurality of stranded longitudinal elements, in particular strands, at least one of which has at least one insertion end which at least portion-wise is inserted, in particular in place of a core, between other longitudinal elements, wherein the person transporting wire rope and/or the stranded longitudinal elements are at least largely free of a sheathing that at least partially encompasses the person transporting wire rope and/or at least one stranded longitudinal element.
Description
PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a rope portion of a rope that forms a person transporting wire rope as claimed in the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a method for splicing a rope that forms a person transporting wire rope as claimed in the preamble of claim 12.


Wire rope splices by means of which endless wire ropes can be produced from wire ropes, for example as traction ropes or haul ropes for mountain cable cars, are known from the prior art. A so-called long splice herein is made at the application site of the endless rope. A length of long splices of this type in order to meet standards herein is at least 1200 times a diameter of a wire rope used such that a sufficient load bearing capability of the splice can be established by means of conventional splicing.


The object of the invention lies in particular in achieving advantageous properties with a view to producing a splice, in particular a splice that is embodied as a long splice. An object of the invention moreover lies in particular in providing a generic rope portion having a load-bearing-capable splice, in particular a long splice. An object of the invention moreover lies in particular in enabling a splice, in particular a long splice, to be fabricated at locations which are difficult to access or at spatially tight locations. The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of patent claims 1 and 12, while advantageous implementations and further developments of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims.


Advantages of the Invention

One aspect of the invention, which can be considered individually or else in combination with at least one aspect, in particular in combination with one or else any number of other aspects of the invention, proceeds from a rope portion of a rope that forms a person transporting wire rope having a diameter d, in particular of an endless rope, having at least one splice embodied as a long splice, in particular a wire rope splice embodied as a long splice, which has a plurality of stranded longitudinal elements, in particular strands, at least one of which has at least one insertion end which at least portion-wise is inserted between other longitudinal elements, in particular in place of a core, wherein the person transporting wire rope and/or the stranded longitudinal elements are at least largely free of a sheathing that at least partially encompasses the person transporting wire rope and/or at least one stranded longitudinal element.


It is proposed that the insertion end has a length of at most 50*d.


Advantageous properties with a view to producing a splice, in particular a long splice, can be achieved on account of an implementation according to the invention. An effort in the production of insertion ends of a splice, in particular of a long splice, can moreover advantageously be reduced. A splice, in particular a long splice, having short insertion ends that are simple to generate can moreover advantageously be provided. A high efficiency in terms of costs, in particular in combination with a simultaneously high reliability of a finished splice, in particular a long splice, can advantageously be achieved. In particular, a short time required for splicing can be achieved. Moreover, a compact splice capable of bearing loads, in particular a long splice, can be provided. Furthermore, splicing, in particular a long splice, can advantageously be enabled in a tight space and/or on a short length. In particular, a length of a region of a spliced connection to be processed in a complex manner can advantageously be reduced, in particular by means of a long splice.


One aspect of the invention, which can be considered individually or else in combination with at least one aspect, in particular in combination with one or else any number of other aspects of the invention, proceeds from a rope portion of a rope that forms a person transporting wire rope having a diameter d, in particular of an endless rope, having at least one splice embodied as a long splice, in particular a wire rope splice, which has a number N of stranded longitudinal elements, in particular strands.


It is proposed in particular that the splice has an overall length of at most 100*N*d.


Advantageous properties with a view to producing a splice, in particular a long splice, can be achieved on account of the implementation according to the invention. Moreover, a compact splice, in particular a long splice, can be provided. Furthermore, a short splice nevertheless capable of bearing loads, in particular a long splice, can advantageously be provided. A low complexity in terms of production can advantageously be achieved for a splice, in particular a long splice. Moreover, splicing, in particular a long splice, can also be achieved in the case of a significantly limited available space, in particular in the case of a short length of a region available for splicing. A high efficiency in terms of costs, in particular in combination with a simultaneously high reliability of a finished splice, in particular a long splice, can advantageously be achieved. Moreover, a low complexity in the preparation and production of a splice, in particular a long splice, can be achieved.


In particular, the rope and/or the rope portion have/has a nominal diameter of d. The diameter d is preferably the nominal diameter of the rope. In particular, the diameter d is a diameter of a smallest circle encompassing the rope and/or the rope portion, in particular the cross section thereof. The rope is preferably a wire rope, in particular a steel wire rope. The rope particularly preferably has at least one, in particular precisely one, core. The rope is advantageously at least in part implemented from a plastics material. The longitudinal elements preferably run in the manner of a spiral about the core, in particular in the manner of a conventional wire rope, and are in particular stranded around said core. In particular, a lay length of the longitudinal elements is at least 4*d, preferably at least 6*d, and/or at most 12*d, and preferably at most 9*d. The longitudinal elements are advantageously disposed about the core in such a manner that said longitudinal elements are disposed so as to be without mutual contact and/or so as to be mutually spaced apart in terms of the longitudinal directions of said longitudinal elements, at least portion-wise of the rope and/or of the rope portion that are different from spliced locations, on account of which wear by virtue of mutually rubbing longitudinal elements can in particular be avoided or at least reduced. The rope is advantageously configured for use in a ropeway, in particular a passenger cableway. However, the rope can also be configured for use in a material ropeway. The rope is in particular an endless rope, preferably of a ropeway. The ropeway can be, for example, a passenger cableway, in particular a mountain cable car, and advantageously an urban street car. Alternatively or additionally, the ropeway can at least in part or in full be disposed underground. A material ropeway, in particular a material transport system, is likewise conceivable. The rope is advantageously a haul rope, in particular a revolving and/or endless haul rope, and/or a traction rope, in particular a revolving and/or endless traction rope. The rope in an assembled state is advantageously placed around at least one drive element, in particular around a drive pulley, of a drive unit of a ropeway. “Configured” is in particular to mean specifically designed and/or equipped. By an object being configured for a special function is in particular to be understood that the object in at least one application state and/or operating state fulfils and/or carries out said special function.


The rope advantageously has a consistent diameter. The diameter of the rope herein can be chosen so as to be suitable for a specific application. The diameter is in particular at least 10 mm and/or at most 100 mm. For example, if the rope is a traction rope, the diameter is in particular at least 10 mm and advantageously at least 20 mm and/or at most 70 mm and advantageously at most 50 mm. For example, if the rope is a haul rope, the diameter is in particular at least 30 mm and advantageously at least 40 mm and/or at most 100 mm and advantageously at most 90 mm. Moreover, the rope preferably has a consistent cross section, or a cross section that is periodically present at least along the longitudinal direction of said rope. The cross section can be circular, in particular in the case of the rope, between longitudinal elements running on the surface of said rope, having suitable inserts which advantageously fill intermediate spaces between the longitudinal elements. It is likewise conceivable that the cross section corresponds to that of a convention wire rope having strands disposed about a core.


The person transporting wire rope is in particular free of a sheathing that at least partially encompasses the rope, in particular a plastics material sheathing, a metal sheathing, a nylon sheathing, and/or a further sheathing that in particular influences a tensile strength of the rope. Each stranded longitudinal element, in particular with the exception of insertion ends, is in particular free of a sheathing that encompasses the stranded longitudinal element, in particular a plastics material sheathing, a metal sheathing, a nylon sheathing, and/or a further sheathing that in particular influences a tensile strength of the rope. An element “being at least largely free of sheathings” is to be understood in particular that at least 51%, preferably at least 75%, advantageously at least 85%, preferably at least 95%, and particularly preferably at least 99%, of the element is free of sheathings that encompass the element. A “sheathing” is in particular to be understood to be an element which at least portion-wise in the circumferential direction at least partially encompasses the person transporting wire rope and/or the longitudinal element, and which is preferably implemented from a material that is different from the material, in particular from the wire material, of the person transporting wire rope and/or of the longitudinal element. The wording “partially encompassing” is to be understood so as to encompass an overall circumference in particular at least to the extent of 51%, preferably so as to encompass an overall circumference to the extent of at least 80%, or preferably so as to encompass an overall circumference to the extent of at least 95%.


The rope has in particular N longitudinal elements, in particular in addition to the core. Preferably, N=6. The rope is in particular a six-strand wire rope. However, seven-strand or eight-strand ropes are likewise also conceivable. N is in particular at least 4, advantageously at least 5, and particularly advantageously at least 6 and/or at most 12, advantageously at most 10, and particularly advantageously at most 8. The longitudinal elements advantageously have in each case an at least substantially consistent cross section. The longitudinal elements are preferably strands which in turn can be constructed from a plurality of individual wires which can in particular be implemented so as to be at least substantially mutually identical. It is likewise conceivable that a longitudinal element, for example embodied as a strand, comprises dissimilar individual wires and/or other components such as inserts, fibers, sheathing elements, or the like. In particular in the case of a longitudinal element being embodied as a strand, the longitudinal element advantageously has a lay length which corresponds to at least five times, and preferably at least seven times, and/or at most 15 times, and preferably at most eleven times, a diameter of the longitudinal element. In principle, longitudinal elements of dissimilar lays can be used. Moreover, a lay direction of the wire rope can be identical to or counter to a lay direction of the longitudinal elements, or of at least individual longitudinal elements. “At least substantially identical” objects are in particular to mean objects which are realized in such a manner that said objects can in each case fulfil a common function and, apart from production tolerances, preferably in terms of their construction differ from one another at most on account of individual elements which are irrelevant to the common function, and advantageously objects which, apart from production tolerances and/or in the context of production-related possibilities, are implemented identically, wherein mutually symmetrical objects are in particular also to be understood to be identical objects. An object having “an at least substantially consistent cross section” is in particular to mean, in this context that, for any first cross section of the object along at least one direction and any second cross section of the object along the direction, a minimum area of a differential area which is formed when superimposing the cross sections is at most 20%, advantageously at most 10%, and particularly advantageously at most 5%, of the area of the larger of the two cross sections.


A “wire” in this context is to be understood in particular to be an elongate and/or thin member which is capable of being at least mechanically bent and/or is flexural. The wire along the longitudinal direction thereof has advantageously an at least substantially consistent, in particular circular or elliptic, cross section. The wire is particularly advantageously embodied as a round wire. However, it is also conceivable for the wire at least portion-wise or in full to be embodied as a flat wire, a rectangular wire, a polygonal wire, and/or a profiled wire. For example, the wire at least in part or else in full can be implemented from metal, in particular a metal alloy, and/or an organic and/or an inorganic plastics material, and/or a composite material, and/or an inorganic non-metallic material, and/or a ceramic material. For example, it is conceivable for the wire to be implemented as a polymer wire or a plastics material wire. The wire can in particular be implemented as a composite-material wire, for example a metal/organic composite wire, and/or a metal/inorganic composite wire, and/or a metal/polymer composite wire, and/or a metal/metal composite wire, or the like. It is in particular conceivable that the wire comprises at least two dissimilar materials which are disposed relative to one another in particular according to a composite geometry and/or are at least in part mixed with one another. The wire is advantageously implemented as a metal wire, preferably as a steel wire, in particular as a stainless steel wire. Should the helix have a plurality of wires, the latter are preferably identical. However, it is also conceivable for the helix to have a plurality of wires which differ from one another in particular in terms of the material thereof, and/or the diameter thereof, and/or the cross section thereof. The wire and/or the longitudinal element preferably has/have an in particular corrosion-resistant coating and/or sheathing such as, for example, a zinc coating and/or an aluminum/zinc coating and/or a plastics material coating and/or a PET coating and/or a metal oxide coating and/or a ceramic coating, or the like.


The splice is preferably a long splice, and/or produced in the manner of a long splice. The splice is preferably a wire rope splice. The number of longitudinal elements of the splice preferably corresponds to the number of longitudinal elements of the rope. The longitudinal elements of the splice are particularly preferably the longitudinal elements of the rope. The splice is preferably made from a master rope of the rope, prior to said rope being connected so as to form an endless rope. The splice is in particular a connection location between ends of the master rope of the rope. The rope advantageously has at least one further rope portion which is free of any splice. The rope portion and the further rope portion preferably implement the rope. However, it is likewise conceivable that the rope has a plurality of rope portions which comprise in each case at least one splice, for example should part of the rope be replaced and a corresponding replacement part being spliced thereinto by means of at least two splices. The splice advantageously has a maximum diameter which deviates from the diameter d of the rope by at most 10%, advantageously by at most 8%, particularly advantageously by at most 6%, and preferably by at most 5%, and in particular is larger than said diameter d.


At least some and advantageously all of the longitudinal elements preferably implement in each case at least one insertion end. At least some and advantageously all of the longitudinal elements particularly preferably implement in each case precisely two insertion ends, wherein one insertion end is in each case advantageously implemented by in each case one end of a longitudinal element. The insertion ends are advantageously inserted into an interior of the rope portion, in place of the core. The splice particularly advantageously has a plurality of splice locations, in particular N splice locations, where longitudinal elements and preferably insertion ends preferably intersect in particular in such a manner that said longitudinal elements and said insertion ends penetrate an interior of the splice in opposite directions. The splice location comprises in particular at least one, in particular precisely one, splice knot, preferably a reef knot. The splice in the region of the splice location N+1 advantageously has longitudinal elements lying on a surface, of which preferably two longitudinal elements intersect at the splice location. Alternatively, it is conceivable for two of the longitudinal elements to be placed directly beside one another at the splice location such that said two longitudinal elements form a parallel knot, for example. Said two longitudinal elements, in particular the longitudinal elements that mutually intersect at the splice location, particularly advantageously implement in each case one insertion end, wherein the corresponding insertion ends, in particular proceeding from the splice location, are inserted into the interior of the splice in opposite directions, in place of the core. An insertion end preferably extends in each case from a center of a splice location to an end of the insertion end that lies in particular in the interior of the splice. Two insertion ends that form one splice location, in each case proceeding from the splice location, particularly preferably extend in opposite directions of the splice, in particular at least predominantly in the interior of said splice, preferably in place of a core.


A length of a portion which lies on a surface of the splice location and which comprises in particular non-inserted portions of the mutually intersecting longitudinal elements, or alternative of the longitudinal elements placed beside one another, and is preferably defined and/or implemented by said portions, is in particular at most 15*d, advantageously at most 10*d, particularly advantageously at most 5*d, and preferably at most 2*d. A length of the splice knot of the splice location is accordingly in particular at most 15*d, advantageously at most 10*d, particularly advantageously at most 5*d, and preferably at most 2*d.


A diameter of the splice in a region of a splice location can be larger than the diameter d of the rope, in particular since a cross section of the splice N+1 at the splice location comprises longitudinal elements. At least one splice location of the splice defines in particular a maximum diameter of the splice.


The splice preferably has 2*N insertion ends, wherein each end of each of the longitudinal element is particularly preferably an insertion end. However, it is also conceivable that at least two ends of longitudinal elements, or else of each individual longitudinal element, are connected in a butt joint and in particular lie on a surface of the splice, and for example are adhesively bonded and/or welded to one another, and/or are otherwise connected to one another. A number of insertion ends in this case can be less than 2*N. For example, only four longitudinal elements can form insertion ends for a rope having six longitudinal elements, while two longitudinal elements lie only so as to abut on a surface of a corresponding splice. A breaking force of the splice, for example in this case, is determined mainly by the insertion ends, while the ends of the longitudinal elements that lie in a butt joint and are potentially welded, for instance, can absorb only minor forces. A corresponding splice is advantageously simple to produce, in particular since only a reduced number of longitudinal elements are spliced.


The insertion end at least portion-wise is preferably sheathed, in particular wrapped, with at least one sheathing material. The sheathing material can advantageously be, for example, a splicing tape that is capable of being wrapped around an insertion end. It is likewise conceivable for the sheathing material to be attached to the insertion end in another manner, for example applied, fused, extruded, or the like. The sheathing material is in particular configured for enlarging a diameter of the insertion end by virtue of the sheathing of the latter. The insertion ends are advantageously sheathed with the sheathing material in such a manner that the diameters of said insertion ends correspond at least substantially to a diameter of the core. A diameter of the insertion end, in particular in a non-sheathed state, is preferably smaller than a diameter of the core. “At least substantially” in this context in particular is to be understood that a deviation from a predefined value corresponds in particular to less than 15%, preferably less than 10%, and particularly preferably less than 5%, of the predefined value.


The insertion end advantageously has a length of at most 40*d, particularly advantageously of at most 30*d, preferably of at most 25*d, and particularly preferably of at most 20*d. The splice advantageously has at least 2*N−8, particularly advantageously at least 2*N−6, preferably at least 2*N−4, particularly preferably at least 2*N−2, and preferably 2*N, insertion ends. The splice has in particular at least two, advantageously at least four, particularly advantageously at least six, preferably at least eight, particularly preferably at least ten, and preferably at least twelve and/or 2*N insertion ends which have a length of at most 50*d, advantageously of at most 40*d, particularly advantageously of at most 30*d, preferably of at most 25*d, and particularly preferably of at most 20*d.


The overall length of the splice corresponds in particular to a spacing between outermost insertion ends of the splice, preferably along the longitudinal direction of the latter. The splice at opposite end sides is preferably delimited by the core of the rope. Peripheral insertion ends of the splice are in particular contiguous to the core of the rope, wherein the overall length of the splice advantageously corresponds to a spacing between said peripheral insertion ends, in particular the ends thereof that face the core. The splice advantageously has an overall length of at most 80*N*d, particularly advantageously of at most 60*N*d, preferably of at most 50*N*d, and particularly preferably of at most 40*N*d. In particular in the case of a six-strand wire rope, for example, the splice has a length of at most 600*d, advantageously of at most 500*d, particularly advantageously of at most 400*d, preferably of at most 300*d, and particularly preferably of at most 250*d.


In an advantageous implementation of the invention, it is proposed that a plurality of longitudinal elements have in each case at least one insertion end having a length of at most 50*d. A plurality of longitudinal elements advantageously have in each case two insertion ends having a length of at most 50*d. In particular, all of the insertion ends of the splice correspondingly have a length of at most 50*d. It is moreover conceivable that all of the longitudinal elements of the splice have in each case two insertion ends having a length of in each case at most 50*d. It is however also conceivable for at least one insertion end of the splice to have a length which is larger than 50*d. The splice can in particular have insertion ends of dissimilar lengths. All insertion ends of the splice are advantageously of identical length. A high degree of efficiency in terms of time and/or costs when splicing can advantageously be achieved on account thereof.


A lower material input in terms of the sheathing material as well as in particular a lower degree in terms of production complexity can be achieved in particular when an overall length of regions having insertion ends is at most 100*N*d, wherein N is a number of longitudinal elements of the rope. The overall length of regions having insertion ends is advantageously at most 80*N*d, particularly advantageously at most 60*N*d, preferably at most 50*N*d, and particularly preferably at most 40*N*d. In particular, at least some of the regions having insertion ends are disposed, preferably along the longitudinal direction of the rope portion, so as to be, preferably directly, mutually adjacent. All regions having insertion ends can advantageously be disposed so as to be, preferably directly, mutually adjacent. In particular, the overall length of regions having insertion ends can correspond at least substantially to the length of the splice.


It is furthermore proposed that the splice has at least one, preferably precisely one, intermediate region which is disposed between insertion ends and which contains at least a portion of a core and/or of an, in particular non-metallic, substitution element. The substitution element herein functions in particular as a substitution for the core. The substitution element can be at least partially implemented from plastics material and/or from rubber, for example. A cross section of the substitution element preferably corresponds at least substantially to a cross section of the core. The intermediate region is advantageously disposed in a center of the splice. When viewed along the longitudinal direction of the rope portion, a first half of all insertion ends of the splice are particularly advantageously disposed in front of the intermediate region, and a second half of all insertion ends of the splice are particularly advantageously disposed behind the intermediate region. The intermediate region has in particular a length of at least 100*d and advantageously of at least 200*d. In the case of the splice being longer than 600*d, a length of the splice can advantageously be composed of the overall length of the regions having insertion ends and a length of the intermediate region. Said lengths can in particular add up to a length of the splice of 1200*d, in particular for reasons of adhering to predefined standards, wherein other and advantageously larger lengths are of course also conceivable. In the case of a target length of 1200*d for the splice, the intermediate region can have a length of 600*d and the region having the insertion ends can likewise have a length of 600*d, for example. The intermediate region can likewise be correspondingly lengthened and/or the region having insertion ends can be correspondingly shortened. A splice having a predefined length can be produced on account thereof, wherein a manufacturing complexity can advantageously be reduced by virtue of short insertion ends.


However, the splice is preferably free of any intermediate piece of this type such that the splice can advantageously be provided with a short overall length.


It is furthermore proposed that the splice has a number of 2*N−2 longitudinal element end regions which in particular lie and/or are inserted in the interior of the splice and which are in each case disposed in a close range of at least one other longitudinal element end region. A splice having an advantageously reduced overall length can be provided on account thereof. Additionally, the splice preferably comprises two longitudinal element end regions which are disposed in a close range of the core, in particular at opposite ends of the splice. A “close range of” in this context is to be understood in particular to be a region of which the length, preferably along the longitudinal direction of the rope portion, is at most 20*d, advantageously at most 10*d, particularly advantageously at most 8*d, preferably at most 5*d, and particularly preferably at most 3*d. In particular, two longitudinal element end regions are in each case mutually adjacent in the close range. The splice advantageously has at least one distance element which is disposed between adjacent longitudinal element end regions and which is preferably disposed in the interior of the splice, in place of the core. The distance element has in particular a length of at least 1*d, advantageously of at least 2*d, particularly advantageously of at least 3*d, and preferably of at least 4*d and/or of at most 15*d, advantageously of at most 10*d, particularly advantageously of at most 8*d, and preferably of at most 6*d, for example a length of 5*d. The region having insertion ends can in particular comprise the distance elements, but advantageously not any potential intermediate element. The distance element in the longitudinal direction of the rope portion preferably abuts the adjacent longitudinal element end regions. A formation of bigger intermediate spaces in the event of a tensile load and/or a bending load of the splice can advantageously be prevented on account thereof. In particular, a relative movement of adjacent longitudinal element end regions advantageously leads to a formation of two narrow intermediate spaces, in each case between one of the longitudinal element end regions and the distance element, preferably instead of a formation of a single wide intermediate space. It is likewise conceivable that at least two, in particular in each case two, longitudinal element end regions are directly adjacent, preferably without a distance element disposed therebetween. It is moreover conceivable for the splice to have at least two and advantageously 2*N−2 longitudinal element end regions that are connected to one another in pairs. Said longitudinal element end regions can for example be welded and/or adhesively bonded to one another and/or be connected to one another by means of at least one clamping connection, in particular in addition to a clamping generated by the longitudinal elements which encompass the longitudinal element end regions. In this case, the two, in particular in each case two, longitudinal element end regions preferably abut one another.


An advantageously reliable and/or load-bearing-capable splice can in particular be provided if the longitudinal element end regions are end regions of insertion ends. In particular in the case of the splice comprising 2*N insertion ends, the 2*N−2 inner insertion ends preferably implement the 2*N−2 longitudinal element end regions. Moreover, the two peripheral insertion ends advantageously implement the two longitudinal element end regions that are adjacent to the core.


In a further implementation of the invention, it is proposed that the splice comprises at least one splice location which has at least two insertion ends that are inserted in opposite directions, and has at least one insert element with at least one accommodation region which is configured for at least partially receiving the insertion ends inserted in opposite directions. In particular, the insert element is configured for at least partially receiving a splice knot, in particular a reef knot, which advantageously implement the insertion ends inserted in opposite directions, or the corresponding longitudinal elements that implement said insertion ends. The insert element is preferably a dummy splice. The insert element advantageously has a plurality of further accommodation regions which run in a spiral manner and which are configured for receiving in each case one longitudinal element. The insert element has in particular N−1 further accommodation regions of this type. The insert element is in particular configured to substitute the core of the rope in a region of the splice location, in particular in a region of the splice knot of said splice location. The accommodation region is preferably deeper and/or wider than the further accommodation regions such that said accommodation region is advantageously suitable for partially receiving two longitudinal elements instead of only one longitudinal element, particularly advantageously while achieving in the region of the splice location, and in particular of the splice knot of said splice location, a cross section of the splice which is not enlarged or at least only insignificantly enlarged. The insert element is advantageously at least in part implemented from plastics material, wherein other suitable materials such as, for example, rubber or soft metals, are also conceivable. The insert element can in particular be embodied as a 3D printed component. The insert element is advantageously adapted to a shape and/or design and/or manifestation of the splice knot of the splice location. The accommodation region and the further accommodation regions of the insert element are particularly preferably implemented and/or disposed in such a manner that the longitudinal elements of the splice run around the insert element in such a manner that said longitudinal elements, at least in a region of the insert element, are non-contacting. In particular, it is conceivable that the accommodation region has a variable cross section which in particular transitions from at least one region for receiving a single insertion end to at least one region for receiving the splice knot. In principle, it is conceivable that the insert element has a maximum length which corresponds to a sum of a length of the two insertion ends inserted in opposite directions. The insertion element advantageously has a length of at least 1*d, particularly advantageously of at least 2*d, preferably of at least 3*d, and particularly preferably of at least 5*d and/or of at most 100*d, advantageously of at most 50*d, particularly advantageously of at most 20*d, preferably of at most 10*d, and particularly preferably of at most 8*d. An undesirable thickening in knot regions can advantageously be reduced on account thereof. Moreover, mechanical loads on a splice that arise in knot regions can advantageously be reduced.


It is moreover proposed that the insertion end has an undulation, the amplitude thereof corresponding to at least 0.5% and/or at most 20% of an amplitude of an undulation of the longitudinal element, in particular in a portion of the longitudinal element which is different from the insertion end and which is preferably disposed outside the interior of the splice and/or outside a splice knot region. The longitudinal element is advantageously at least in part straightened in a region of the insertion end. The undulation corresponds in particular to a deviation from a straight profile. The amplitude herein can be an amplitude of a profile of the insertion end, or of the longitudinal element, respectively, when viewed perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the insertion end, or of the longitudinal element, respectively, and/or a corresponding amplitude in a projection perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the insertion end, or of the longitudinal element, respectively. The insertion end and the longitudinal element are preferably undulated in at least two perpendicular spatial directions. The insertion end and the longitudinal element particular preferably follow in each case a spiral-shaped and/or spiral-type profile, wherein the profile of the insertion end is advantageously capable of being generated from the profile of the longitudinal element at least by means of stretching the latter in the longitudinal direction. The amplitude of the undulation of the insertion end advantageously corresponds to at least 1%, particularly advantageously at least 2%, and preferably at least 3%, and/or at most 15%, particularly advantageously at most 10%, and preferably at most 8% of an amplitude of the undulation of the longitudinal element. An internal geometry of a splice can advantageously be adapted in a precise manner on account thereof.


In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the splice has at least one further insertion end which has a length that is different from that of the insertion end. On account thereof, a high variability in terms of an implementation of a splice can advantageously be achieved. Moreover, load bearing characteristics of a splice can be precisely adapted. The splice can in particular have insertion ends of dissimilar lengths. The insertion end and the further insertion end can be implemented by dissimilar longitudinal elements which moreover can differ from one another, for example in terms of at least one property such as, for instance, in terms of a cross section, a diameter, a material, a lay length, or the like. A length of the insertion ends can in particular be chosen as a function of a condition of the longitudinal elements. It is conceivable for insertion ends of an individual splice location to be of dissimilar lengths. On account thereof, regions of dissimilar lengths having in each case two adjacent insertion ends can advantageously be generated, wherein adjacent insertion ends can be of identical length. It is likewise conceivable that insertion ends that respectively implement one splice knot are of identical length. In particular in this case, two adjacent insertion ends which are disposed between two splice locations can be of dissimilar lengths. In particular in the case of the splice on the surface thereof having end regions of longitudinal elements that are placed so as to abut and/or connected, for example welded, and only some of longitudinal elements implementing insertion ends, for example longer insertion ends can be disposed in regions in which end regions of longitudinal elements lie so as to abut on the surface of the splice and/or are connected, for instance welded, such that a load-bearing-capable and nevertheless compact splice can advantageously be provided.


It is furthermore proposed that the splice has a plurality of splice locations which are in particular not separated by an intermediate region and/or a substitution element, and which are mutually disposed as irregular spacings, in particular in addition to potential splice locations that by virtue of an intermediate region are separated irregular spacings between by the intermediate region. A high degree of variability in terms of adapting a local load bearing capability of a splice can be achieved on account thereof. For example, spacings between splice locations can increase from a periphery of the splice toward the center thereof. It is furthermore conceivable that spacings between splice locations decrease from the periphery of the splice toward the center thereof. The splice advantageously has dissimilar spacings between dissimilar adjacent splice locations. In particular, a first spacing between two adjacent splice locations can deviate from a second spacing between two other adjacent splice locations. It is conceivable for the splice to have insertion ends of identical length, and in particular for all insertion ends of the splice to be of identical length, wherein the irregular spacings are generated by means of at least one distance piece. For example, the splice can have distance pieces of dissimilar lengths, and/or regions of adjacent longitudinal element end regions with or without a distance piece. The splice advantageously has insertion ends of dissimilar lengths, by means of which the irregular spacings are at least in part generated.


Alternatively, it is proposed that the splice has a plurality of splice locations which are disposed at at least substantially regular spacings. A splice that is producible in a simple and reliable manner can advantageously be provided on account thereof. Moreover, a splice having a uniformly distributed local load bearing capability can be provided in particular for a wire rope having identical longitudinal elements. All splice locations of the splice are preferably disposed at regular spacings. In particular in the case of the splice having at least one intermediate region, it is conceivable that the splice locations of the splice are disposed in groups, having regular spacings between splice locations.


In an advantageous implementation of the invention, it is proposed that in at least one test attempt a test rope piece of the rope, in particular having a diameter d, having at least one test insertion end, in a pretensioned state and under a tensile load of the test insertion end is capable of being bent without damage at least 1000 times, advantageously at least 2000 times, particularly advantageously at least 5000 times, preferably at least 10,000 times, and particularly preferably at least 15,000 times, in particular in each case by at least 90°, advantageously by in each case 120°, and preferably by in each case 150°, about at least one test disk having a diameter of at most 80*d, advantageously of at most 60*d, and particularly advantageously of at most 40*d. In particular, a portion of the test insertion end that is inserted into the test rope piece has a length of at most 50*d, advantageously of at most 40*d, particularly advantageously of at most 30*d. In particular, the test rope piece in the test attempt can be capable of being bent without damage in an alternating manner about two opposite test disks which are advantageously curved in opposite direction by the stated angle as a total angle, thus for example by in each case 45° about a first of the test disks and by 45° about a second of the test disks. The test insertion end is advantageously implemented in a manner analogous to that of the insertion ends of the rope portion, and in particular is sheathed with the sheathing material. Moreover, the test rope piece is advantageously implemented in a manner analogous to the rope. It is conceivable for the test rope piece to comprise a plurality of insertion ends. It is furthermore conceivable for the test rope piece to comprise an entire test splice. The test rope piece advantageously comprises only one test insertion end which at one end of the test rope piece is preferably inserted into the interior of the said test rope piece in place of the core of the latter. A high degree of mechanical reliability and/or load bearing capability of a splice can be advantageously achieved on account thereof. Moreover, a compact splice can advantageously be provided with a high service life. The test rope piece being “capable of being bent without damage” is to be understood in particular that the test insertion end and/or the test insertion ends of the test rope piece, in particular after having performed the test attempt, preferably in the pretensioned state of the test insertion end and/or of the test rope piece, for example at a pretensioning force per cross-sectional face A of the test rope piece of at least 60 N/mm2, preferably of at least 250 N/mm2, and advantageously of at least 500 N/mm2, remain/remains inert. The wording “remain inert” is to be understood in particular that the test rope piece under the effect of the pretensioning force is at least substantially free of any slippage and/or any subsidence of a test insertion end, in particular relative to a remainder of the test rope piece. The test rope piece being “substantially free of any subsidence and/or any slippage” is to be understood in particular that a degree of any subsidence and/or any slippage of the test insertion end, in particular relative to a remainder of the test rope piece, after having performed the test attempt, is smaller than a diameter of the test rope piece, preferably is smaller than half the diameter of the test rope piece, preferably is smaller than a quarter of the diameter of the test rope piece, and particularly preferably is smaller than a diameter of the core of the test rope piece.


In the case of a combined bending and tensile load, for example in an operation of a ropeway, a reliable and durable splice can in particular be provided if the test rope piece in the test attempt is pre-tensioned with a pre-tensioning force per cross-sectional face A of the test rope piece of at least 60 N/mm2, advantageously of at least 100 N/mm2, advantageously of at least 200 N/mm2, preferably of at least 300 N/mm2, and particularly preferably of at least 500 N/mm2, in particular in the case of a six-strand rope.


A load-bearing-capable and reliable splice having short insertion ends, which is advantageously producible in a simple and/or rapid manner, can be provided in particular if the test insertion end in the test attempt withstands an extraction force in kN of at least d2*0.68/N*0.04, advantageously of at least d2*0.68/N*0.1, particularly advantageously of at least d2*0.68/N*0.2, preferably of at least d2*0.68/N*0.4, and particularly preferably of at least d2*0.68/N*0.6. The insertion element preferably withstands the same extraction force as the test insertion end. Each insertion element of the splice particularly preferably withstands the same extraction force as the test insertion end. In particular, the extraction force in the test attempt acts parallel with or at least substantially parallel with a longitudinal direction of the test rope piece and/or of the test insertion end. In particular, the test insertion end in the test attempt is impinged with the extraction force in the longitudinal direction of said test insertion end.


The invention moreover relates to a rope which realizes a person transporting wire rope, having at least one longitudinal element, in particular a strand, which is configured for implementing at least one insertion end of a splice, in particular of a long splice, of a rope portion according to the invention. Advantageous properties in terms of an in particular compact and load-bearing capable splice that is simple to produce, in particular for producing an endless rope from the rope, can be achieved on account of the rope according to the invention. The rope is advantageously embodied as a ropeway rope. However, it is also conceivable for the rope to be a transport ropeway rope, in particular a material transport wire rope. The rope is advantageously configured for use as a master rope for producing an endless rope, in particular a haul rope and/or a traction rope. The rope has in particular a preferably consistent diameter d, wherein the diameter d can be within the range of values stated above, for example. The rope preferably has a number of N longitudinal elements which are in particular implemented so as to be mutually identical. As has in particular been described above, N is advantageously 6, but can also be 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, for example. An even larger number of longitudinal elements is also conceivable. The rope preferably has at least one, advantageously precisely one, core about which the longitudinal elements are stranded. The longitudinal elements, in particular at least after sheathing and/or wrapping with at least one sheathing material such as, for example, a splicing tape, are particularly preferably in each case configured for implementing at least one insertion end of the splice. The longitudinal element is advantageously configured, as an insertion end having a length of at most 50*d in a spliced state, to have an extraction force in kN of at least d2*0.68/N*0.04, advantageously of at least d2*0.68/N*0.1, particularly advantageously of at least d2*0.68/N*0.2, preferably of at least d2*0.68/N*0.4, and particularly preferably of at least d2*0.68/N*0.6.


The invention furthermore comprises a rope which realizes a person transporting wire rope and which is configured to be spliced by means of at least one splice embodied as a long splice of a rope portion. Advantageous properties in terms of an in particular compact and load-bearing capable splice that is simple to produce, in particular for producing an endless rope from the rope, can be achieved on account of the rope according to the invention. The rope is advantageously embodied as a ropeway rope. However, it is also conceivable for the rope to be a transport ropeway rope, in particular a material transport wire rope. The rope is advantageously configured for use as a master rope for producing an endless rope, in particular a haul rope and/or a traction rope.


Advantageous properties in terms of a reliable splice, in particular a long splice, which is in particular producible in a rapid manner and/or in a comparatively tight space can be achieved in particular with a rope, in particular an endless rope, which has at least one rope portion according to the invention. The rope is advantageously a wire rope. The rope is particularly advantageously a traction rope and/or a haul rope, in particular of a ropeway, advantageously of a passenger cableway, preferably of an urban street car and/or a mountain cable car. The rope is in particular a person transporting wire rope, preferably an urban street car wire rope and/or a mountain cable car wire rope. Of course, it is also conceivable that the rope is a traction rope and/or a haul rope of a material ropeway, in particular a material transport system.


It is furthermore proposed to use at least one rope according to the invention, having at least one rope portion according to the invention, as a haul rope and/or as a traction rope, in particular in a passenger cableway, advantageously in a passenger ropeway, preferably in a mountain cable car and/or in an urban street car. A use as a haul rope and/or as a traction rope in a material ropeway, or any other type of ropeway, is however likewise conceivable.


A further aspect of the invention which can be considered individually or else in combination with at least one aspect, in particular in combination with one or else any number of other aspects of the invention, proceeds from a method for splicing a rope that realizes a person transporting wire rope having a diameter d, preferably for producing an endless rope, in particular a rope according to the invention having at least one rope portion according to the invention, advantageously for a passenger cableway, for example for a mountain cable car and/or an urban street car, or else for a material ropeway, which has a plurality of stranded longitudinal elements.


It is proposed that for producing at least one splice embodied as a long splice, at least one end region of at least one of the longitudinal elements is inserted, in particular in place of a core, as an insertion end between other longitudinal elements over a length of at most 50*d.


Advantageous properties with a view to producing a splice, in particular a long splice, can be achieved on account of the method according to the invention. A complexity in a production of insertion ends of a splice, in particular of a long splice, can moreover advantageously be reduced. A splice, in particular a long splice, having short insertion ends that are simple to generate can moreover advantageously be provided. A high efficiency in terms of costs, in particular in combination with a simultaneously high reliability of a finished splice, in particular a long splice, can advantageously be achieved. In particular, a short time required for splicing can be achieved. Moreover, a compact splice capable of bearing loads, in particular a long splice, can be provided. Furthermore, splicing, in particular a long splice, can advantageously be enabled in a tight space and/or on a short length. In particular, a length of a region of a spliced connection to be processed in a complex manner can advantageously be reduced, in particular by a long splice.


The insertion end is advantageously inserted between the other longitudinal elements over a length of at most 40*d, particularly advantageously of at most 30*d, preferably of at most 25*d, and particularly preferably of at most 20*d. The length over which the insertion end is inserted can moreover advantageously be reduced by at least half of the length of the splice knot. The insertion end is preferably sheathed with the sheathing material prior to the insertion. Advantageously, a plurality of insertion ends, particularly advantageously all insertion ends, of the splice are inserted over a corresponding length of at most 50*d.


A further aspect of the invention which can be considered individually or else in combination with at least one aspect, in particular in combination with one or else any number of other aspects of the invention, proceeds from a method for splicing a rope that realizes a person transporting wire rope having a diameter d, preferably for producing an endless rope, in particular a rope according to the invention having at least one rope portion according to the invention, advantageously for a passenger cableway, for example for a mountain cable car and/or an urban street car, or else for a material ropeway, which has a number N of stranded longitudinal elements.


It is proposed that a splice, in particular a long splice is produced, the overall length thereof being at most 100*N*d.


Advantageous properties with a view to producing a splice, in particular a long splice, can be achieved on account of the method according to the invention. A high efficiency in terms of costs, in particular in combination with a simultaneously high reliability of a finished splice, in particular a long splice, can advantageously be achieved. Moreover, a compact splice, in particular a long splice, can be provided. Furthermore, a short splice nevertheless capable of bearing loads, in particular a long splice, can advantageously be provided. A low complexity in terms of production can advantageously be achieved for a splice, in particular a long splice. Moreover, splicing, in particular a long splice, can also be achieved in the case of a significantly limited available space, in particular in the case of a short length of a region available for splicing. Moreover, a low complexity in the preparation and production of a splice, in particular a long splice, can be achieved.


A splice, the overall length thereof being at most 80*N*d, particularly advantageously at most 60*N*d, preferably at most 50*N*d, and particularly preferably at most 40*N*d, is advantageously produced. In particular in the case of a six-strand wire rope, for example, a splice, the overall length thereof being at most 600*d, advantageously at most 500*d, particularly advantageously at most 400*d, preferably at most 300*d, and particularly preferably of at most 250*d, is produced.


It is furthermore proposed that the splice embodied as a long splice is fabricated in one piece, in particular without an advancement of the splice in an incomplete state, in a region having a length of at most 1200*d, advantageously of at most 1000*d, particularly advantageously of at most 800*d, and preferably of at most 600*d. By an “advancement” is in particular to be understood, in this context, a pushing and/or pulling of the splice in a partially incomplete state, in particular in a longitudinal direction of the rope. In particular, an advancement can be understood as a displacement of an already completed sub-portion of the incomplete splice out of a processing region, in particular conjointly with a displacement of a not yet completed further sub-portion of the incomplete splice into the processing region. The region can lie, for example, in a downhill station, an uphill station, a cableway station, or the like, in particular having a limited available space, for example having a limited length. The entire splice, in particular the long splice, is in particular fabricated in one piece and/or within the region, without any advancement. A production complexity can be reduced on account thereof. Moreover, splicing in particular a splice embodied as a long splice can be enabled in a tight space, for example in tight stations, in particular cableway stations, for example in cities and/or on mountain slopes and/or peaks, where available space is limited.


A rope portion according to the invention as well as a method according to the invention for splicing a rope herein are not to be limited to the application and the embodiment described above. A rope portion according to the invention as well as a method according to the invention for meeting a functional mode described herein can in particular have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that deviate from the number mentioned herein, and/or have any meaningful combination of said individual elements, components, units, and method steps. Moreover, where value ranges are stated in this disclosure, values lying within the stated limits are also intended to be disclosed and usable as desired.





DRAWINGS

Further advantages are derived from the following description of the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. The drawings, the description, and the claims include numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form further meaningful combinations.


In the figures:



FIG. 1 shows a passenger cableway having a rope in a schematic illustration;



FIG. 2 shows the rope in a non-spliced state in a schematic illustration;



FIG. 3 shows the rope in a schematic cross-sectional illustration;



FIG. 4 shows a rope portion of the rope, having a splice, in a schematic illustration;



FIG. 5 shows a splice location of the splice in a schematic longitudinally sectioned illustration;



FIG. 6 shows a splice knot of the splice location in a schematic cross-sectional illustration;



FIG. 7 shows an insert element of the splice location in a schematic perspective illustration.



FIG. 8 shows a portion of the splice in a schematic longitudinally sectioned illustration;



FIG. 9 shows a test rope piece of the rope in a test attempt, in a schematic illustration;



FIG. 10 shows a schematic flowchart of a first method for splicing the rope;



FIG. 11 shows a schematic flowchart of a second method for splicing the rope;



FIG. 12 shows a first alternative rope portion having a splice, in a schematic illustration;



FIG. 13 shows a second alternative rope portion having a splice, in a schematic illustration; and



FIG. 14 shows a third alternative rope portion having a splice, in a schematic illustration.





DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS


FIG. 1 shows a passenger cableway 92a having a rope 12a in a schematic illustration; The rope 12a is implemented as a person transporting wire rope. The passenger cableway 92a is a ropeway. The passenger cableway 92a can be a mountain cable car, for example. The passenger cableway 92a is advantageously an urban street car. It is conceivable herein that said passenger cableway covers a difference in altitude. It is likewise conceivable that the passenger cableway 92a runs at least in a substantially horizontal manner. The passenger cableway 92a can have support pylons (not shown). The passenger cableway 92a can moreover have a plurality of portions having dissimilar gradients, in particular also portions with a positive gradient as well as portions with a negative gradient. It is furthermore conceivable that the passenger cableway 92a at least portion-wise runs underground. The rope 12a in the present case is a haul rope. The rope 12a is used as a haul rope in the passenger cableway 92a. The use as a traction rope, in particular in addition to a separate suspension rope, is likewise conceivable. In principle, it is furthermore conceivable that the rope 12a is part of a material ropeway, in particular of a material mountain ropeway and/or a material urban ropeway. The rope 12a can in general be used as a traction rope and/or as a haul rope in a ropeway, and/or be part of said traction rope and/or haul rope.


The rope 12a in the present case is a wire rope, in particular a steel rope. However, the rope 12a, at least portion-wise, can be implemented as a plastics material rope and/or a composite material rope, or the like. The rope 12a has at least one rope portion 10a having at least one splice 14a. The splice 14a in the present case is a long splice. The splice 14a in the present case is moreover a wire rope splice. The splice 14a, at least portion-wise, is in particular implemented in the manner of a long splice. The rope 12a is an endless rope. The rope 12a is in particular an endless rope that is spliced by means of the splice 14a. The rope 12a is implemented so as to be free of a sheathing encompassing the rope.



FIG. 2 shows a rope 90a which is configured for being spliced by means of the splice 14a of the rope portion 10a. The rope 90a corresponds in particular to the rope 12a of the passenger cableway 92a, in the non-spliced state of said rope 12a. The rope 12a, embodied as an endless rope, of the passenger cableway 92a can be produced by means of splicing the rope 90a. For example, the rope 90a, wound on a drum, is transported to an installation site, in particular a site of the passenger cableway 92a, and is spliced there. Fabrication of the rope 90a herein can take place at another site, for example in a rope factory.



FIG. 3 shows the rope portion 10a in a schematic cross sectional illustration. In particular, a region of the rope portion 10a that is different from the splice 14a is shown in FIG. 3. A cross section of the rope 12a is realized in a corresponding manner. The rope portion 10a, and in particular the rope 12a, has a number of N longitudinal elements 16a-26a. In the present case N=6. As mentioned above, any other number of longitudinal elements 16a-26a is however conceivable, in particular a number of five, seven, eight, ten, twelve, or even more. The longitudinal elements 16a-26a in the present case are strands, in particular wire strands. Wire bundles, or else individual wires, composite wires, core/shell longitudinal elements, or the like are likewise conceivable.


The longitudinal elements 16a-26a in the present case are implemented so as to be at least substantially mutually identical, or mutually identical. The longitudinal elements 16a-26a have in particular at least substantially identical, or identical, cross section. Moreover, the longitudinal elements 16a-26a can have at least substantially identical, or identical, lay lengths and/or lay directions. The rope 12a can be a regular lay rope, and preferably is a Langs lay rope. In principle, it is conceivable for the rope portion 10a and/or the rope 12a to have differently implemented longitudinal elements 16a-26a which differ, for example, in terms of a cross section, a material, a tensile strength, a lay length, a lay direction, or the like. The longitudinal elements 16a-26a are implemented so as to be free of a sheathing encompassing at least one of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a.


The rope 12a, and also in the present case at least one peripheral region of the rope portion 10a, have a core 94a. The core 94a can at least in part be implemented from plastics material, for example. The longitudinal elements 16a-26a are disposed about the core 94a, in particular at regular spacings. The longitudinal elements 16a-26a run in particular in a spiral manner about the core 94a. The longitudinal elements 16a-26a are stranded around the core 94a.


The core 94a in the present case has a cross section which is larger than a cross section of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a. Moreover, the core 94a advantageously has a cross section having segment-shaped clearances and/or impressions for the longitudinal element 16a-26a, said clearances and/or impressions advantageously following a spiral profile around the core 94a, in accordance with a stranding of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a.


The longitudinal elements 16a-26a are advantageously disposed about the core 94a in such a manner that said longitudinal elements 16a-26a are without mutual contact at least outside the splice 14a. In particular, the longitudinal sides of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a are disposed without mutual contact, at least outside the splice 14a. Additionally, it is conceivable for longitudinal inserts to be disposed between the longitudinal elements 16a-26a, said longitudinal inserts in particular running about the core 94a so as to be parallel with said longitudinal elements 16a-26a and advantageously establishing a spacing between the longitudinal elements 16a-26a. Longitudinal inserts of this type are advantageously implemented from a material that is softer than that of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a, for example from plastics material, rubber, a composite material, or the like. Moreover, the rope 12a, or the rope portion 10a, respectively, and/or at least one, in particular a plurality, or else all, of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a can have at least one coating, for example an anti-corrosion coating and/or a plastics material covering, or the like.


The rope portion 10a and in particular the rope 12a have a diameter d. In particular, the diameter d corresponds to a diameter of a smallest circle encompassing the rope portion 10a, in particular the cross section thereof. The rope 12a in the present case is a round rope, in particular a circular rope. However, it is also in principle conceivable for the rope 12a to be polygonal or elliptic. In the present case, for example, the diameter d can be 70 mm, wherein any other diameters are conceivable, as mentioned above.



FIG. 4 the rope portion 10a of the rope 12a, having the splice 14a, in a schematic illustration. For reasons of visualization, the longitudinal elements 16a-26a in FIG. 4 are shown so as to be parallel and lying beside one another, despite said longitudinal elements 16a-26a potentially being stranded and/or running in a spiral manner about the core 94a, as has been mentioned. The illustration of the rope portion 10a and in particular of the splice 14a in FIG. 4 is therefore to be understood to be a splicing diagram and does not necessarily represent an actual geometry of the rope portion 10a and/or of the splice 14a thereof.


At least one of the longitudinal elements 16a has at least one insertion end 28a which at least portion-wise is inserted between other longitudinal element 16a-26a. The insertion end 28a is inserted between the longitudinal elements 16a-26a in place of the core 94a.


In the present case, all of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a have in each case two insertion ends 28a-50a. The insertion ends 28a-50a are inserted in the manner of a long splice, in place of the core 94a. The splice 14a comprises in particular twelve insertion ends 28a-50a, wherein another number of insertion ends is conceivable, in particular in the case of a rope having a number of longitudinal elements deviating from six.


The rope portion 10a in the peripheral regions thereof has the portions 114a, 116a of the core 94a. The portions 114a, 116a of the core 94a in the present case delimit the splice 14a.


The insertion end 28a has a length of at most 50*d. The insertion end 28a in the present case, for example, has a length of 40*d, wherein other lengths are also conceivable, as has been mentioned above.


Furthermore, the longitudinal elements 16a-26a have in each case at least one insertion end 28a-50a having a length of at most 50*d. Each of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a in the case shown has two insertion ends 28a-50a having a length of at most 50*d, for example having in each case a length of 40*d.


The splice 14a has at least one splice location 84a. FIG. 5 shows the splice location 84a of the splice 14a in a schematic longitudinally sectioned illustration. The splice location 84a herein is illustrated only in a schematic manner, wherein the length ratios in particular may not necessarily be correctly reproduced. The splice location 84a comprises a splice knot 120a. The splice location 84a furthermore comprises two insertion ends 28a, 38a that are inserted in opposite directions.


The insertion ends 28a, 38a in the present case extend in each case from a center 122a of the splice knot 120a up to the inserted ends of said insertion ends 28a, 38a, said inserted ends not being illustrated in FIG. 5. The insertion ends 28a, 38a herein can have in each case an inserted portion as well as a portion that is disposed on a surface of the splice 14a, wherein the latter in particular realizes part of the splice knot 120a. In the present case, the longitudinal elements 16a-26a that comprise the insertion ends 28a, 38a, in a region of the splice knot 120a in a known manner moreover run conjointly on the surface of the splice 14a. The longitudinal elements 16a-26a in the present case cross over one another. The splice knot 120a is in particular a reef knot.


The insertion end 28a has an undulation of which the amplitude corresponds to at least 0.5% and/or at most 20% of an amplitude of an undulation of the longitudinal element 16a-26a, in particular outside the splice location 84a. For example, the amplitude of the undulation of the insertion end 28a can be 2%, wherein other values are also conceivable, as has been mentioned above. The undulation of the insertion element 28a is generated from the undulation of the longitudinal element 16a, in particular by virtue of the stranding of the latter, by stretching and/or straightening the longitudinal element 16a. The undulation of the insertion end 28a, by virtue of the schematically straight illustration thereof, is not shown in FIG. 5. The undulation of the insertion end 28a, in particular when viewed perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 118a of the rope portion 10a, leads to wave-type and in particular sinusoidal profile of the insertion end 28a. A wave length of the undulation of the insertion end 28a in this view is advantageously larger than a wave length of an undulation of the longitudinal element 16a outside the splice location 84a, the latter wave length corresponding in particular to a lay length of the longitudinal element 16a. In a manner analogous to that of the undulation of the longitudinal element 16a, the undulation of the insertion element 28a is the result of a spiral-shaped profile, wherein the spiral-type profile of the insertion end 28a is generated from the spiral-type profile of the longitudinal element 16a, by means of stretching and/or straightening the latter. In particular, the insertion end 28a when producing the splice 14a is straightened prior to an insertion.


The splice location 84a in the present case moreover has at least one insert element 86a which is configured for at least partially receiving the insertion ends 28a, 30a inserted in opposite directions. The insert element 86a in FIG. 5 is only schematically indicated. FIG. 6 shows the splice knot 120a of the the splice location 84a, having the insert element 86a, in a schematic cross-sectional illustration. FIG. 8 shows the insert element 86a of the splice location 84a in a schematic perspective illustration. The insert element 86a in the present case is a dummy splice. The insert element 86a is advantageously implemented from plastics material, in particular polyethylene, wherein alternatively or additionally other materials such as, for example, rubber, fiber-composite materials, preferably soft metals such as, for example, aluminum, or the like are also conceivable. The insert element 86a is particularly advantageously a 3D printed component, in particular a plastics material part.


The insert element 86a has at least one accommodation region 88a which is configured for at least partially receiving the insertion ends 28a, 30a inserted in opposite directions. The accommodation region 88a is realized as a channel-type depression. The accommodation region 88a is in particular configured for at least partially receiving two longitudinal elements 16a-26a that are placed so as to form a splice knot 120a. The accommodation region 88a along the longitudinal direction thereof can have a variable cross section.


The insert element 86a has at least one further accommodation region 124a which is configured for at least partially receiving a longitudinal element 16a-26a. In the present case, the insert element 86a has a plurality of further accommodation regions 124a of which only one is provided with a reference sign for reasons of clarity. The insert element 86a advantageously has N−1 further accommodation regions 124a. In a region of the splice knot 120a, the insert element 88a is placed between the longitudinal element 16a-26a in place of the core 94a. The insert element 88a is in particular realized in such a manner that a diameter of the rope portion 10a in the region of the splice location 84a and in particular in a region of the splice knot 120a is at most 8% and advantageously at most 5% larger than a nominal diameter of the rope 12a.


The insert element 86a advantageously has a length which corresponds to at least a length of the splice knot 120a. The accommodation region 88a is preferably configured for receiving the insertion ends 28a, 38a, or longitudinal elements 16a-26a that form the splice knot 120a, respectively at least over a length of a portion of said insertion ends 28a, 38a, or of said longitudinal elements 16a-26a, respectively, that is disposed on the surface of the splice 14a.


Reference hereunder is made yet again to FIG. 4. The splice 14a has an overall length of at most 100*N*d. The splice 14a in the present case has an overall length of at most 600*d. The overall length of the splice 14a corresponds to a length of a portion between the portions 114a, 116a of the core 94a in the longitudinal direction 118a of the core portion 10a. In the present case, the overall length of the splice 14a is approximately 530*d, wherein other overall lengths are conceivable, as mentioned above.


Furthermore, an overall length of a region 76a having insertion ends 28a-50a is at most 100*N*d. In the present case, an overall length of the region 75a having insertion ends 28a-50a corresponds to the overall length of the splice 14a. The splice 14a is in particular free of regions, in particular having a length of at least 10*d, without insertion ends 28a-50a.


The splice 14a has a plurality of splice locations 84a, 104a-112a, which are disposed at at least substantially regular spacings. In the present case, all of the splice locations 84a, 104a-112a of the splice are disposed at regular spacings. Spacings between directly adjacent splice locations 84a, 104a-112a, are in each case at least substantially identical, or identical, in particular by virtue of an identical length of the insertion ends 28a-50a.


The splice 14a has a number of 2*N−2, in the case shown, which is to be understood to be purely exemplary, has a number of ten longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a which are in each case disposed in a close range of at least another longitudinal element end region 52a-70a. The longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a in the present case are in each case disposed so as to be mutually adjacent in pairs. A spacing between adjacent longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a herein is advantageously at most 10*d and particularly advantageously at most 5*d. Furthermore, the splice locations 84a, 104a-112a are disposed so as to be mutually adjacent.


The longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a are end regions of insertion ends 26a, 28a, 32a-48a. All of the non-peripheral insertion ends 26a, 28a, 32a-48a in the case shown have in each case one of the 2*N−2 longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a.


The splice 14a furthermore has at least one peripheral longitudinal element end region 126a. The peripheral longitudinal element end region 126a is an end region of a peripheral insertion end 30a. The peripheral longitudinal element end region 126a is disposed in a close range of the core 94a. In particular, the peripheral longitudinal element end region 126a is disposed so as to be directly adjacent to the core 94a. Furthermore, the splice 14a in the present case has at least one further peripheral longitudinal element end region 128a. The peripheral longitudinal element end region 126a and the further peripheral longitudinal element end region 128a are disposed on opposite sides of the splice 14a, in particular in relation to the longitudinal direction 118a of the rope portion 10a.



FIG. 8 shows a portion of the splice 14a in a schematic longitudinally sectioned illustration. Two adjacent longitudinal element end regions 56a, 58a are mutually disposed in a close range. In the present case, a spacing between the longitudinal element end regions 56a, 58a is approximately 5*d. As mentioned above, however, a smaller or larger spacing is also conceivable.


The splice 14a in the present case has at least one distance element 130a. The distance element is disposed between the longitudinal element end regions 56a, 58a, in particular in an interior of the splice 14a and advantageously in place of the core 94a. The distance element 130a in the present case is implemented from plastics material. Alternatively or additionally, however, other materials such as, for example, rubber, soft metals, composite materials, fiber-composite materials, and the like are also conceivable.


The adjacent longitudinal element end regions 56a, 58a are directly contiguous to the distance element 130a. A gap 132a, 134a which in the event of a tensile load and/or a bending load on the splice 14a can at least temporarily expand is in each case disposed between the distance element 130a and the adjacent longitudinal element end regions 56a, 58a. By virtue of the distance element 130a, two smaller gaps 132a, 134a are created instead of one larger gap in this case by virtue of a a relative movement of the adjacent longitudinal element end regions 56a, 58.


In the present case, one distance element 130a is in each case disposed between in each case two adjacent longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a of the 2*N−2 longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a that are adjacent in pairs. However, the distance elements 130a are not illustrated in FIG. 3 for reasons of clarity.


In principle, it is likewise conceivable that adjacent longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a are disposed so as to be directly mutually adjacent, in particular without a distance element being disposed therebetween. In this case in particular a spacing between adjacent longitudinal element end regions 52a-70a can be less than 1*d and advantageously at most a few millimeters, in particular in a non-stressed state of the splice 14a.


At least one insertion end 28a of the splice 14a in the present case is moreover sheathed with a sheathing material 136a. The sheathing material 136a can be a splicing tape, for example. The insertion end 28a is advantageously sheathed with the sheathing material 136a in such a manner that the diameter of said insertion end 28a is enlarged in such a manner that said diameter corresponds at least substantially to a diameter of the core 94a. The longitudinal elements 16a-26a that encompass the insertion end 28a correspondingly clamp the latter in such a manner that a sufficient extraction force is guaranteed. In the present case, all of the insertion ends 28a-50a of the splice 14a are sheathed with sheathing material 136a.



FIG. 9 shows a test rope piece 98a of the rope 12a in a test attempt, in a schematic illustration. The test rope piece 98a section-wise has a structure that is identical to that of the rope 12a, in particular in a region which is different from the rope portion 10a and is advantageously not spliced. The test rope piece 98a moreover has at least one test insertion end 100a. The test rope piece 98a in the present case has precisely one test insertion end 100a. The test insertion end 100a is inserted at one end of the test rope piece 98a between the longitudinal elements thereof (not individually illustrated), in place of a core (not shown) of the test rope piece 98a.


The test insertion end 100a is advantageously implemented so as to be identical to insertion ends 28a-50a of the splice 14a. However, the test insertion end 100a can be inserted thereinto from one end of the test rope piece 98a, and not laterally at a splice location. In principle however, it is also conceivable for the test rope piece 98a to comprise at least one portion of a test splice, or an entire test splice.


The test insertion end 100a in the test attempt is under a tensile load. Moreover, the test attempt is carried out while the test rope piece 100a is under a tensile load. The test insertion end 100a in the test attempt is capable of being bent without damage at least 1000 times about a test disk 102a having a diameter of at most 80*d.


In the present case, the test insertion end 100a is capable of being bent, for example, at least 2000 times about in each case at least 90° and advantageously about in each case at least 150°. Moreover, the diameter of the test disk can advantageously be at most 60*d, or at most 40*d. A revolving of the splice 14a about a drive pulley of a ropeway can be simulated by the test attempt, for example. The insertion ends 28a-50a of the splice 14a are realized in such a manner that a test insertion end 100a that is implemented identically to said insertion ends 28a-50a survives the described test attempt without damage.


The test rope piece 98a in the test attempt is pretensioned by way of a pretensioning force of at least 60 N/mm2 per cross-sectional area A. The test rope piece 98a in the test attempt is advantageously pretensioned by way of a pretensioning force of particularly preferably at least 500 N/mm2 per cross-sectional area.


The test insertion end 100a in the test attempt withstands an extraction force in kN of at least d2*0.68/N*0.1. The test insertion end 100a advantageously withstands an extraction force of at least d2*0.68/N*0.2, and particularly advantageously of at least d2*0.68/N*0.4. In the present case, each of the insertion ends 28a-50a of the splice withstands a correspondingly high extraction force.



FIG. 10 shows a schematic flow diagram of a first method for splicing the rope 90a (cf. FIG. 2), wherein in particular the rope 12a of the passenger cableway 92a (cf. FIG. 1) is fabricated. In a first method step 138a, the rope 90a having a diameter d, in particular a nominal diameter d, having a plurality of stranded longitudinal elements 16a-26a is provided, for example delivered to a site of the passenger cableway 92a. In a second method step 140a, the splice 14a is fabricated by means of splicing the rope 90a. In order for the splice to be produced, at least one end region of at least one of the longitudinal elements 16a-26a is inserted as an insertion end 28a-50a over a length of at most 50*d, for example over a length of 40*d, between other longitudinal elements 16a-26a. In the present case, all of the insertion ends 28a-50a are inserted over a length of in each case at most 50*d, for example over a length of in each case 40*d.


In the second method step 140a, the splice 14a is advantageously fabricated in one piece in a region 96a having a length of at most 1200*d (cf. also FIG. 1). The splice 14a is in particular fabricated without said splice 14a being advanced in an incomplete state. The region 96a in the present case has a length of at most 900*d and advantageously of at most 700*d. In particular, the region 96a can have, in particular only, a maximum space available for splicing, for example in the case of a limited space in a cableway station 146a of the passenger cableway 92a.



FIG. 11 shows a schematic flow diagram of a second method for splicing the rope 90a, wherein in particular the rope 12a of the passenger cableway 92a (cf. FIG. 1) is fabricated. The first method and the second method in the present case are identical. In particular, the first method may comprise at least parts of the second method, or vice-versa. In a first method step 142a, the rope 90a having a diameter d, in particular a nominal diameter d, having a plurality of N stranded longitudinal elements 16a-26a is provided, for example delivered to a site of the passenger cableway 92a. In a second method step 144a, the splice 14a is fabricated by means of splicing the rope 90a. In the second method step 144a, the splice 14a is fabricated in such a manner that the overall length of said splice 14a is at most 100*N*d. The splice 14a in the present case is fabricated having an overall length of at most 530*d. The overall length of the splice 14a herein is in particular composed of a sum of lengths of the insertion ends 28a-50a, as well as a sum of lengths of the distance elements 130a.


In the second method step 144a, the splice 14a is advantageously fabricated in one piece in a region 96a having a length of at most 1200*d (cf. also FIG. 1). The splice 14a is in particular fabricated without said splice 14a being advanced in an incomplete state. The region 96a in the present case has a length of at most 900*d and advantageously of at most 700*d. In particular, the region 96a can have, in particular only, a maximum space available for splicing, for example in the case of a limited space in a cableway station 146a of the passenger cableway 92a.


Further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. The description hereunder is limited substantially to the points of differentiation between the exemplary embodiments, wherein reference in terms of unmodified components, features, and functions, may be made to the description of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11. In order for the exemplary embodiments to be differentiated, the suffix a in the reference signs of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 11 has been substituted by the suffixes b to d in the reference signs of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 12 to 14. In terms of unmodified components, in particular of components having identical reference signs, reference in principle may be made to the drawings and/or the description of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11.



FIG. 12 shows a first alternative rope portion 10b of a rope 12b having a diameter d, in a schematic illustration. The rope portion 10b has at least one splice 14b. The splice 14b comprises a number N of stranded longitudinal elements 16b-26b. At least one of the longitudinal elements 16b-26b has at least one insertion end 28b which at least portion-wise is inserted between other longitudinal elements 16b-26b, in particular in place of a core 94b of the rope 12b. The insertion end 28b has a length of at most 50*d.


An overall length of regions 76b, 78b having insertion ends 28b is at most 100*N*d. In the present case, the splice 14b has a first region 76b and a second region 78b having insertion ends 28b of which only one is provided with a reference sign for reasons of clarity. The first region 76b and the second region 78b can comprise an identical number of insertion ends 28b. The first region 76b in the present case comprises N insertion ends. Furthermore, the second region 78b in the present case likewise comprises N insertion ends. The first region 76b and the second region 78b are disposed so as to be mutually spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 118b of the rope portion 10b.


The splice 14b has at least one intermediate region 80b that is disposed between insertion ends 28b. The intermediate region 80b contains at least a portion 82b of the core 94b and/or of a substitution element 148b. The intermediate region 80b in the present case comprises a substitution element 148b which is advantageously implemented from plastics material or another suitable material. The substitution element 148b is configured to substitute the core 94b in the intermediate region 80b. For example, the substitution element 148b can have a cross section and/or a cross-sectional profile which corresponds to that of the core 94b. Alternatively, an in particular previously severed portion of the core 94b could be inserted into an interior of the splice 14b, instead of the substitution element 148b in the intermediate region 80b.


An overall length of the splice 14b is composed of a sum of the overall length of the regions 76b, 78b having insertion ends, and of a length of the intermediate region 80b. In one aspect of the invention it is conceivable for the splice 14b to have an overall length of, for example, N*200*d, in particular of 1200*d, or even a larger overall length. The splice 14b advantageously has an overall length of at most N*100*d.



FIG. 13 shows a second alternative rope portion 10c of a rope 12c having a diameter d, in a schematic illustration. The rope portion 10c has at least one splice 14c. The splice 14c comprises a number N of stranded longitudinal elements 16c-26c. At least one of the longitudinal elements 16c-26c has at least one insertion end 28c. The insertion end 28c has a length of at most 50*d. The splice 14c moreover has a length of at most 600*d.


The splice 14c in the present case comprises a number of insertion ends 28c that is less than 2*N. For reasons of clarity, only one of the insertion ends 28c in FIG. 13 is provided with a reference sign. The splice 14c in the present case has a number of 2*N−4 insertion ends 28c. Moreover, the splice 14c has at least two, in the present case four, longitudinal element end regions 52c-58c which lie so as to abut on a surface of the splice 14c. The longitudinal element end regions 52c-58c are moreover connected, in particular welded, to one another in pairs. It is likewise conceivable for said longitudinal element end regions 52c-58c to be inserted in pairs into connection sleeves so as to permit a relative movement of said longitudinal element end regions 52c-58c, in particular in the event of a tensile load and/or a bending load on the splice.


It is also conceivable for at least one of the insertion ends 28c to have a length of more than 50*d. It is in particular conceivable that the insertion ends 28c have in each case a length of at most N*100*d/M, wherein M is a number of insertion ends 28c. It is moreover conceivable for any other, advantageously even, number of longitudinal element end regions 52c-58c to lie so as to abut on the surface of the splice 14c and to advantageously not be inserted.



FIG. 14 shows a third alternative rope portion 10d of a rope 12d having a diameter d, in a schematic illustration. The rope portion 10d has at least one splice 14d. The splice 14d comprises a number N of stranded longitudinal elements 16d-26d. At least one of the longitudinal elements 16d-26d has at least one insertion end 28d. The insertion end 28d has a length of at most 50*d. Alternatively or additionally, the splice 14c can have a length of at most 600*d.


The splice 14d has at least one further insertion end 30d which has a length that is different from that of the insertion end 28d. The further insertion end 30d in the present case is longer than the insertion end 28d. For example, the splice 14d can have insertion ends 28d, 30d, the length thereof decreasing toward the peripheries of the splice 14d. Likewise, any other distribution of lengths of insertion ends 28d, 30d is conceivable.


The splice 14d has a plurality of splice locations 84d, 104d-112d, which are disposed at irregular spacings. In the present case, the irregular spacings are established by differing lengths of the insertion ends 28d, 30d. However, it is also conceivable that distance elements of differing lengths are placed between insertion ends 28d, 30d, in particular between insertion ends of identical length, so as to generate differing spacings between splice locations 84d, 104d-112d.

Claims
  • 1. A rope portion of a rope that forms a person transporting wire rope having a diameter d, in particular of an endless rope, having at least one splice which is embodied as a long splice and which has a plurality of stranded longitudinal elements, in particular strands, at least one of which has at least one insertion end which is inserted, in particular in place of a core, at least portion-wise between other longitudinal elements, wherein the person transporting wire rope and/or the stranded longitudinal elements are at least largely free of a sheathing that at least partially encompasses the person transporting wire rope and/or at least one stranded longitudinal element, wherein the insertion end has a length of at most 50*d.
  • 2. The rope portion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal elements have in each case at least one insertion end having a length of at most 50*d.
  • 3. The rope portion as claimed in claim 1, wherein an overall length of regions having insertion ends is at most 100*N*d, wherein N is a number of longitudinal elements of the rope.
  • 4. The rope portion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the splice has an overall length of at most 100*N*d, wherein N is a number of longitudinal elements of the rope.
  • 5. The rope portion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the splice has at least one intermediate region which is disposed between insertion ends and which contains at least a portion of a core and/or of an, in particular non-metallic, substitution element.
  • 6. The rope portion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the splice comprises at least one splice location which has at least two insertion ends that are inserted in opposite directions, and has at least one insert element with at least one accommodation region which is configured for at least partially receiving the insertion ends inserted in opposite directions.
  • 7. The rope portion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insertion end has an undulation, the amplitude thereof corresponding to at least 0.5% and/or at most 20% of an amplitude of an undulation of the longitudinal element.
  • 8. The rope portion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the splice has at least one further insertion end which has a length that is different from that of the insertion end.
  • 9. A rope which realizes a person transporting wire rope, having at least one longitudinal element which is configured for implementing at least one insertion end of at least one splice, embodied as a long splice, of a rope portion as claimed in claim 1.
  • 10. A rope which realizes a person transporting wire rope, in particular an endless rope, having at least one rope portion as claimed in claim 1.
  • 11. A use of a rope as claimed in claim 10 as a haul rope and/or as a traction rope, in particular in a passenger cableway, advantageously in a mountain cable car and/or in an urban street car.
  • 12. A method for splicing a rope that forms a person transporting wire rope, having a diameter d, preferably for producing an endless rope, in particular a rope as claimed in claim 9, advantageously for a passenger cableway, for example a mountain cable car and/or an urban street car, which has a plurality of stranded longitudinal elements, wherein the person transporting wire rope and/or the stranded longitudinal elements are at least largely free of a sheathing that at least partially encompasses the person transporting wire rope and/or at least one stranded longitudinal element, wherein, for producing at least one splice that is embodied as a long splice, at least one end region of at least one of the longitudinal elements is inserted as an insertion end, in particular in place of a core, between other longitudinal elements over a length of at most 50*d.
  • 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the splice embodied as a long splice is fabricated in one piece, in particular without an advancement of the splice in an incomplete state, in a region having a length of at most 1200*d.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
10 2017 116 522.3 Jul 2017 DE national
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/EP2018/069764 7/20/2018 WO 00