Patent Application
20240001968
This application claims priority to Austrian Patent Application No. A50480/2022 filed on 30 Jun. 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a cableway having a number of cableway stations and a number of cableway vehicles that are movable between cableway stations by means of a hauling cable, wherein a control unit is provided for controlling the cableway and wherein a limiting device for limiting a lateral pendulum movement of a cableway vehicle entering the cableway station is provided in an entry region of at least one cableway station. The present disclosure also relates to a method for operating a cableway having a number of cableway stations and a number of cableway vehicles that are movable between the cableway stations by means of a hauling cable, wherein the cableway is controlled with a control unit and wherein a cableway vehicle is moved with a lateral pendulum movement into an entry region E of a cableway station in which a limiting device for limiting the lateral pendulum movement is provided.
It is well known that in unfavorable wind conditions, the cableway vehicles of a cableway can be excited into pendulum movements. Depending on the wind direction, wind speed and wind variation over time, a pendulum movement of the cableway vehicles in the direction of movement as well as a lateral pendulum movement transverse to the direction of movement can be generated. While pendulum movements in the direction of movement can generally be reduced by means of operational measures, for example by adjusting the conveying speed, lateral pendulum movement is not easily influenced. While a lateral pendulum movement on a free path is unpleasant for passengers, the risk of damage or injuries is relatively low. In particular, however, lateral pendulum movement can pose a significant hazard in the entry region of cableway stations if they exceed a certain deflection. In the worst case, this can lead to a collision of the cableway vehicle with components of the cableway station or to the hauling cable coming out of the cable guide. In order to avoid damage to the cableway and the risk of injury to passengers, the cableway is therefore generally stopped when the lateral pendulum movement exceeds a certain deflection.
It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to increase safety when a cableway vehicle enters a cableway station of a cableway in the simplest possible manner.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a cableway having at least one cableway station and having at least one cableway vehicle movable between cableway stations with a hauling cable, wherein a control unit is provided for controlling the cableway, the cableway including a limiting device configured adjacent an entry region of the cableway station and operable to limit a lateral pendulum movement of the cableway vehicle as the cableway vehicle enters the cableway station; at least one movable detection element adjacent the cableway station; a detection unit associated with the at least one movable detection element and configured to detect a measured variable associated with a deflection of the detection element and transmit a corresponding signal to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to receive the corresponding signal and control the cableway as a function of the detected measured variable.
For example, the detection unit can have one of the following sensors for detecting the measured variable: distance sensor, position sensor, speed sensor, acceleration sensor, rotational angle sensor, rotational speed sensor, rotational acceleration sensor, structure-borne noise sensor, force sensor, strain gauge, pressure sensor, electrical switch. As a result, a variable representative of the lateral pendulum movement of the entering cableway vehicle can be detected via the deflection of the detection element. The measured variable can be used to control one or more safety-relevant functions of the cableway.
An evaluation unit is preferably provided that is designed to determine a parameter of the lateral pendulum movement of the entering cableway vehicle from the detected measured variable or from a variable derived therefrom and at least one operating variable of the cableway, and the control unit is designed to control the cableway as a function of the determined parameter. For example, the parameter can be at least one of the following variables: distance, position, speed, acceleration, angle, frequency and/or in that the operating variable is a conveying speed. As a result, a more complex evaluation logic can be used than in the case of the direct use of the measured variable. For example, a deflection angle of the lateral pendulum movement of the cableway vehicle can be determined from a measured position of the detection element and from a conveying speed of the cableway vehicle or the hauling cable. If the deflection angle, for example, exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit can initiate appropriate actions, for example stopping the cableway.
Preferably, the movable detection element is designed to carry out a translatory movement and/or a rotational movement. As a result, flexible structural configuration and arrangement in the cableway station is possible. While a rotationally movable detection element generally has a free end that faces away from the cableway station in the direction of movement, a translationally movable detection element may also be, for example, a central portion of the limiting device that does not necessarily have to have a free end.
The limiting device preferably has two opposite limiting elements that converge in the direction of movement, wherein at least one of the limiting elements has the at least one detection element. For example, depending on which component of the cableway vehicle the limiting device comes into contact with during the lateral pendulum movement, the limiting elements can be spaced apart in the vertical direction, i.e., substantially vertically, or in the transverse direction, i.e., substantially horizontally. It can be advantageous if both limiting elements have a movable detection element and a detection device in order to be able to detect the pendulum movement in both directions. For example, a part of a limiting element can form the detection element or the entire limiting element can form an entire limiting element.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the number of cableway vehicles in each case has a conveying body for receiving a number of persons, which is connected to a lower portion of a hanger, wherein an upper portion of the hanger is connected to a hanger carrier, and the limiting device is arranged in the at least one cableway station in such a way that the at least one detection element can be deflected in the case of a lateral pendulum movement of an entering cableway vehicle by an outer side of the conveying body or by the hanger or by a contact element arranged on the underside of the conveying body or by a component of the hanger carrier of the cableway vehicle. As a result, the limiting device can be adapted very flexibly to contact a desired component of the cableway vehicle.
Preferably, a guide rail is provided in the at least one cableway station, and a cable clamp for, preferably releasable, coupling of the cableway vehicle to the hauling cable, at least one guide roller, by means of which the cableway vehicle is movable in a state decoupled from the hauling cable along the guide rail, and a support roller are provided on the hanger carrier, and the limiting device is arranged in the at least one cableway station in such a way that the detection element can be deflected by a pendulum movement of the support roller, preferably in the vertical direction. As a result, the limiting device can advantageously be designed to be relatively compact and be arranged in an upper region of the cableway station.
The limiting device can also have a guide profile that tapers in the direction of movement and forms the detection element, wherein the guide profile has two vertically opposite legs that are connected by a central connecting portion, wherein the support roller of a cableway vehicle located in the region of the limiting device is received between the legs. As a result, an embodiment can be created that is simple and requires little installation effort. For example, a U-profile can be used that is arranged so as to be vertically movable. The U-profile can be connected to a support guide rail provided in the cableway station, in which the support roller is guided during movement within the cableway station to stabilize the cableway vehicle. In the case of a lateral pendulum movement of the cableway vehicle, the support roller carries out a substantially vertical pendulum movement, which deflects the entire guide profile when it comes into contact with one of the legs. Thus, only one detection unit is required.
It is advantageous if a spring device is provided that is designed to cushion the deflection of the detection element, wherein the spring device preferably has at least one of the following springs: coil spring, turning spring, torsion spring, leaf spring, gas spring, air spring, rubber spring. Alternatively or additionally, a damping device can be provided that is designed to dampen the deflection of the detection element, wherein the damping device preferably has at least one of the following dampers: hydraulic damper, pneumatic damper, friction damper. By means of the spring device, the detection element can be quickly reset to its neutral position. On the other hand, the damping device can dampen the pendulum movement of the vehicle, similar to a shock absorber.
Preferably, a drive device for driving the number of cableway vehicles is provided in the cableway, and the control unit is designed to use the detected measured variable or a variable derived therefrom and/or the determined parameter or a variable derived therefrom to control the drive device. For example, a first threshold value can be defined and the control unit can stop the drive device or reduce a conveying speed of the cableway vehicles if the detected measured variable and/or the determined parameter and/or the derived variable exceeds the first threshold value. As a result, the cableway can be stopped, for example, when the measured variable, for example a position of the detection element, exceeds the first threshold value. If an evaluation unit is provided, the cableway can be stopped in an analogous manner, for example, if the parameter, for example a deflection angle of the cableway vehicle about the hauling cable, exceeds the first threshold value. Alternatively or additionally, a derived variable of the measured variable or of the parameter, for example a time derivative, could also be used. Of course, multiple different first threshold values could also be specified and the control unit could, for example, first reduce the conveying speed when the lower threshold value is exceeded and only stop the drive device when the higher threshold value is exceeded.
An alarm device is preferably provided in the cableway, and the control unit is designed to use the detected measured variable or a variable derived therefrom and/or the determined parameter or a variable derived therefrom to control the alarm unit to generate a, preferably optical, acoustic or electronic alarm signal. For example, a second threshold value can be defined and the alarm unit can generate the alarm signal if the detected measured variable and/or the determined parameter and/or the derived variable exceeds the second threshold value. As a result, the passengers and the cableway personnel can be alerted, for example by a siren, strobe light or electronic message sent to an emergency call center or a control room of another cableway station. In turn, multiple different second threshold values could also be specified, wherein, for example, first a first alarm signal, for example an electronic message, is generated when the lower second threshold value is exceeded, and a second alarm signal, for example a siren, is generated when the higher threshold value is exceeded.
The object of the present disclosure is also achieved by the method mentioned at the outset in that the cableway vehicle contacts and deflects a movable detection element of the limiting device, in that a measurement variable of the deflection of the detection element is detected and in that the detected measured variable is used by the control unit to control the cableway.
These objects are merely illustrative of the features and advantages associated with the present disclosure and should not be deemed as limiting in any manner. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the referenced drawings.
Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the disclosure and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout all views.
The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. The following definitions and non-limiting guidelines must be considered in reviewing the description of the technology set forth herein.
The headings (such as “Background” and “Summary”) and sub-headings used herein are intended only for general organization of topics within the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure of the technology or any aspect thereof. In particular, subject matter disclosed in the “Introduction” may include novel technology and may not constitute a recitation of prior art. Subject matter disclosed in the “Summary” is not an exhaustive or complete disclosure of the entire scope of the technology or any embodiments thereof. Classification or discussion of a material within a section of this specification as having a particular utility is made for convenience, and no inference should be drawn that the material must necessarily or solely function in accordance with its classification herein when it is used in any given composition.
The citation of references herein does not constitute an admission that those references are prior art or have any relevance to the patentability of the technology disclosed herein. All references cited in the “Detailed Description” section of this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the technology, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology. Moreover, recitation of multiple embodiments having stated features is not intended to exclude other embodiments having additional features, or other embodiments incorporating different combinations of the stated features. Specific examples are provided for illustrative purposes of how to make and use the apparatus and systems of this technology and, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are not intended to be a representation that given embodiments of this technology have, or have not, been made or tested.
“A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. “About” when applied to values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters. In addition, disclosure of ranges includes disclosure of all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range.
In an entry region E of the cableway stations 2a, 2b, the cableway vehicles 3 can be decoupled from the hauling cable F by actuating the cable clamp, then decelerated and moved at a reduced speed along a guide rail 14 to an exit area A. In the exit area A, the cableway vehicles 3 can be accelerated again to the speed of the hauling cable F and can be coupled to the hauling cable F by actuating the cable clamp again. In order to drive the cableway vehicles 3 in the decoupled state, the drive device 11 can also have a suitable auxiliary drive (not shown). The auxiliary drive can have, for example, a plurality of driven friction wheels arranged one behind the other along the guide rail 14, which interact with a friction lining of the cableway vehicles 3 to drive the cableway vehicles 3.
In the example shown, a first cableway station 2a and a second cableway station 2b are shown, which are designed as terminal stations. Of course, one or more further cableway stations (not shown) could also be provided between the terminal stations 2a, 2b, which further cableway stations are designed as intermediate stations and which can be traversed by the cableway vehicles in a respective direction of travel without the cableway vehicles 3 being turned around.
Furthermore, a control unit 12 for controlling functions of the cableway 1 is provided in the cableway 1. The control unit 12 has suitable hardware and/or software and is arranged in the first cableway station 2a in the example shown. Of course, this is only exemplary and the control unit 12 could also be arranged at another suitable location of the cableway 1. Of course, the control unit 12 may optionally also have multiple control units (not shown) that communicate with each other in a suitable manner. The control unit 12 is in particular designed to control the drive device 11 in order to control the conveying speed of the cableway vehicles 3. Of course, however, further functions of the cableway 1 that are not relevant to the present disclosure can also be controlled by the control unit 12. The basic structure and the function of a cableway 1 are known, which is why no more detailed description is given at this point.
A limiting device 4 is provided in each case in the entry regions E of the cableway stations 2a, 2b in order to limit the lateral pendulum movement P of a cableway vehicle 3 entering the respective cableway station 2a, 2b. In this case, the limiting devices 4 each have a movable detection element 5 and a detection unit 6 for detecting a measured variable M of a deflection of the detection element 5 is provided. Depending on the structural design of the detection element 5, the deflection can be, for example, a translatory deflection X or a rotational deflection a. The control unit 12 is designed to control the cableway 1 as a function of the detected measured variable M. As a result, the control unit 12 can control the drive device 11, for example, in order to stop the drive of the cableway vehicles 3 or to reduce a conveying speed when the measured variable M reaches or exceeds a defined value.
In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, an evaluation unit 7 can also be provided, which is designed to determine a parameter K of the lateral pendulum movement P of the entering cableway vehicle 3 from the detected measured variable M or from a variable derived therefrom, for example a time derivative, and at least one operating variable of the cableway 1. In this case, the control unit 12 is preferably designed to control the cableway 1, in particular the drive device 11, as a function of the determined parameter K. The parameter K can be, for example, a path, a position, a speed, an acceleration, an angle or a frequency of the lateral pendulum movement P of the entering cableway vehicle 3. The operating variable can be, for example, the current conveying speed or a variable representative of the conveying speed, for example an electrical variable such as a current or a voltage. As a result, a more complex evaluation logic is possible as compared to the use of the measured variable M.
The cableway vehicles 3 each have a conveying body 3a for receiving a number of persons, which is connected to a lower portion of a hanger 3b, and an upper portion of the hanger 3b is connected to a hanger carrier 3c (see also
The limiting device 4 is preferably arranged in the cableway station 2a in such a way that the at least one detection element 5 is contacted in the case of a lateral pendulum movement P of an entering cableway vehicle 3 by an outer side of the conveying body 3a or by the hanger 3b or by a contact element 15 arranged on the underside of the conveying body 3a or by a component of the hanger carrier 3c. The contact element 15 is only indicated in dashed lines in
In
The movable detection element 5 can carry out a translatory movement T, for example, as shown by the limiting element 4a shown on the right. For this purpose, for example, the front portion of the limiting element 4a, which has a free end, can form the detection element 5 and be mounted translatory moveable in a suitable manner in the cableway station 2a. Alternatively, however, the detection element 5 could also be formed by a central portion of the limiting element 4a (not shown).
In this case, the detection element 5 can carry out a translatory movement T when the cableway vehicle 3 carries out a lateral pendulum movement P around the hauling cable F as an axis of rotation with a sufficiently large amplitude. A variable of the translatory deflection X of the detection element 5 can be detected as measured variable M, for example a position or a path, etc. The type of measured variable M depends on the type of the detection unit 6 used. For example, the detection unit 6 can have one of the following sensors for detecting the measured variable M: distance sensor, position sensor, speed sensor, acceleration sensor, structure-borne noise sensor, force sensor, strain gauge, pressure sensor, electrical switch. The use of multiple sensors is also possible, of course, as is the combination of multiple sensors.
Alternatively or additionally, the detection element 5 can also be designed to carry out a rotational movement R, as is indicated by the limiting element 4b shown on the left in
In this case, a variable of the rotational deflection a of the detection element 5 can be detected as measured variable M, for example a position or a path or an angle, etc. The type of measured variable M in turn depends on the type of the detection unit 6 used. For example, the detection unit 6 can have one of the following sensors for detecting the measured variable M: distance sensor, position sensor, speed sensor, acceleration sensor, structure-borne noise sensor, force sensor, strain gauge, pressure sensor, electrical switch, rotational angle sensor, rotational speed sensor or rotational acceleration sensor. The use of multiple sensors is also possible, of course, as is the combination of multiple sensors.
In the embodiment shown, an evaluation unit 7 is also provided, which is connected to the detection units 6 via a suitable wireless or wired communication connection, for example a sensor line. The evaluation unit 7 is designed to determine a parameter K of the lateral pendulum movement P of the entering cableway vehicle 3 from the respectively detected measured variable M or from a variable derived therefrom and at least one operating variable of the cableway 1. The evaluation unit 7 is connected to the control unit 12 via a suitable wireless or wired communication connection, for example an electrical line, in order to transmit the parameter K to the control unit 12. Advantageously, the evaluation unit 7 can also be integrated into the control unit 12, for example as a suitable program of a software, as indicated by the dashed border in
According to an advantageous embodiment, the detection unit 6 can have, for example, a suitable position sensor for detecting a position of the detection element 5 (as the measured variable M), and a conveying speed of the cableway vehicles 3 (which corresponds to the speed of the hauling cable F in the coupled state) is used as the operating variable. The conveying speed can be known or a suitable sensor (not shown), for example an induction transmitter, can also be provided for detecting the conveying speed, which can be arranged at a suitable location of the cableway 1 and which communicates with the control unit 12. On the basis of the position (as the measured variable M) and on the basis of the conveying speed (as the operating variable), the evaluation unit 7 can then determine an angle of the lateral pendulum movement P of the cableway vehicle 3 about the hauling cable F as an axis of rotation.
For example, the control unit 12 can directly use the measured variable M detected by the detection unit 6, for example the position of the detection element 5, or a variable derived therefrom, for example a distance or speed, to control the drive device 11. In this case, an evaluation unit 7 can also be dispensed with. However, the control unit 12 can also use the parameter K determined by the evaluation unit 7, for example the deflection angle of the pendulum movement P, or a variable derived therefrom, for example an angular velocity, to control the drive device 11. For example, a first threshold value can be defined or definable in the control unit 12, and the control unit 12 can stop the drive device 11 or reduce a conveying speed of the cableway vehicles 3 if the detected measured variable M and/or the determined parameter K and/or the respectively derived variable exceeds the first threshold value.
Preferably, the cableway 1 is also provided with an alarm device 13, and the control unit 12 is designed to use the detected measured variable M (or a variable derived therefrom) and/or the determined parameter K (or a variable derived therefrom) to control the alarm unit 13 to generate a, preferably optical, acoustic or electronic, alarm signal 13a. For example, a second threshold value can be defined or definable in the control unit 12, and the alarm signal 13a is generated if the detected measured variable M and/or the determined parameter K and/or the derived variable exceeds the second threshold value.
In a simple embodiment without an evaluation unit 7, for example, a second threshold value can be specified that is smaller than the first threshold value. In this case, an alarm signal 13a is generated first when the second (lower) threshold value is exceeded, and the drive device 11 is stopped (or the conveying speed is reduced) only when the first (higher) threshold value is exceeded. If an evaluation unit 7 is provided, this procedure can also take place in an analogous manner for the determined parameter K, either instead of or possibly in addition to the measured variable.
Advantageously, a spring device 9 can also be provided in order to cushion the deflection a, X of the respective detection element 5. The spring device can have, for example, a coil spring, turning spring, torsion spring, leaf spring, gas spring, air spring or rubber spring. Alternatively or additionally, a damping device 10 can also be provided in order to dampen the deflection a, X of the respective detection element 5. The damping device 10 can have, for example, a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper or a friction damper. As is indicated schematically in the example according to
Another advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure is explained below with reference to
The support roller 18 serves to stabilize the cableway vehicle 3 during the movement along the guide rail 14, so that a lateral pendulum movement during the movement within the cableway station 2 is prevented or at least reduced as much as possible. A support guide rail 20, which runs substantially parallel to the guide rail 14, can be provided for this purpose. During the movement of the cableway vehicle 3, the support roller 18 is guided along the supporting guide rail 20. In this case, the limiting device 4 is arranged in an upper region of the cableway station 2a in such a way that the detection element 5 can be deflected in a substantially vertical direction during a lateral pendulum movement P of the cableway vehicle 3 by means of a pendulum movement P′ of the support roller 18.
In the example shown, the guide profile 19 is designed as a rigid U-profile. The legs 19a, 19b are thus connected by a connecting portion 19c. This means that, in the case of a vertical pendulum movement P′ of the support roller 18, the legs 19a, 19b can only be deflected together by the support roller 18. The entire guide profile 19 thus functions as a movable detection element 5. In the example shown, the guide profile 19 is designed to carry out a vertical translatory movement T, as is symbolized by the double arrow. This is advantageous because the support guide rail 20 can thereby be substantially directly adjacent to the guide profile 19. Alternatively, of course, a rotational movement of the guide profile 19 about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (not shown) would also be conceivable, which is preferably located in the region of the tapered portion of the guide profile 19 and which is substantially normal to the drawing plane of the sectional view.
In turn, a detection unit 6 for detecting a measured variable M of the deflection of the guide profile 19 and an evaluation unit 7 communicating therewith are provided for determining a parameter K of the lateral pendulum movement P of the cableway vehicle 3. The evaluation unit 7 is connected to the control unit 12, which controls the drive device 11 of the cableway 1. Since the entire guide rail 19 is always deflected in this case, only one detection unit 6 is required in principle. Of course, two or more detection units 6 could also be provided, for example one detection unit 6 per direction of deflection.
Of course, the embodiment as a rigid U-profile is only exemplary and two separate, mutually independent, limiting elements 4a, 4b could also be provided, spaced apart in the vertical direction. In this case, analogously to the example according to
Finally, it is pointed out that the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated continuous cabin cableway, but that other continuous cableways are also encompassed by the present disclosure, in particular the aforementioned chairlift or combination lift. In addition, the present disclosure also comprises multi-cable continuous cableways in which the hauling cable functions as a traction cable and at least one support cable is additionally provided on which the cableway vehicle rolls by means of a running gear. Likewise, reversible cableways are also encompassed by the present disclosure.
Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been described above to explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure. However, as various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings, including all materials expressly incorporated by reference herein, shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiment but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A50480/2022 | Jun 2022 | AT | national |
