Patent Application
20240190482
The application claims the benefit of priority based on Austrian Patent Application No. A50935/2022, filed on Dec. 7, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
The present disclosure relates to a circular cableway with a first conveying section which has a first conveyor cable, and with a second conveying section which has a second conveyor cable, and with a connecting station which connects the two conveying sections, wherein the first conveyor cable is deflected in the connecting station around a first cable sheave and the second conveyor cable is deflected in the connecting station around a second cable sheave, wherein a plurality of cableway vehicles are provided which are movable by the conveyor cables in the conveying sections, wherein a connecting guide device is provided in the connecting station along which cableway vehicles decoupled from the first conveyor cable in an entry area of the first conveying section can be moved to an exit area of the first conveying section or to an exit area of the second conveying section, and along which cableway vehicles decoupled from the second conveyor cable in an entry area of the second conveying section can be moved to the exit area of the second conveying section or to the exit area of the first conveying section. The present disclosure further relates to a method for operating a circular cableway.
Circular cableways having a plurality of, in particular two, conveying sections are known in the prior art. This is also referred to as a multi-section cableway. For each conveying section, a separate conveyor cable is provided which forms a closed cable loop along which a plurality of cableway vehicles can be moved in a known manner. A first conveying section generally connects a first end station to a central station, and a second conveying section connects the central station to a second end station. The central station acts as a connecting station for selective connection of the two conveying sections. Such circular cableways can be operated in different operating modes.
For example, only one conveying section can be in operation while the other conveying section is out of operation. In this case, only the cableway vehicles can be moved in the active conveying section by means of the corresponding conveyor cable, while the cableway vehicles of the deactivated conveying section are at a standstill. However, both conveying sections can also be in operation simultaneously. In this case, the two conveying sections can be connected to one another via the connecting station, for example, so that the cableway vehicles can be moved from the first end station of the first conveying section via the connecting station to the second end station of the second conveying section, similar to a single long circular cableway. With a corresponding design of the circular cableway, however, both conveying sections could also be in operation separately from one another so that the cableway vehicles are each moved only in the first or second conveying section. A number of cableway vehicles can therefore be moved along the closed cable loop of the first conveying section formed by the first conveyor cable between the first cableway station and the connecting station, and a number of cableway vehicles can be moved along the closed cable loop of the second conveying section formed by the second conveyor cable between the connecting station and the second cableway station, similar to two separate circular cableways.
A multi-section cableway therefore has the advantage that operation can be adapted very flexibly to given boundary conditions, e. g., weather or passenger volume.
AT 519826 A1 discloses, for example, a multi-section cableway with a connecting station, wherein a first cable loop forms a first route along which cableway vehicles are movable, and a second cable loop forms a second route along which cableway vehicles are movable. The two cable loops are connected within the connecting station by means of a connecting guide device which has four switches. This allows the aforementioned operating modes to be realized. However, it is disadvantageous that the connecting station has a relatively large length in the direction of movement, so that the connecting station cannot be used at unfavorable points under certain circumstances.
It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a multi-section circular cableway with a more compact connecting station.
The object is achieved according to the present disclosure in that a circulating guide section is provided in the connecting guide device, which forms a closed conveying loop along which the cableway vehicles can be moved, that a first switchable guide element is provided which can be displaced between a closed position in which it connects a first entry guide section of the connecting guide device provided in the entry area of the first conveying section to the circulating guide section, and an open position, that a second switchable guide element is provided which is displaceable between a closed position, in which it connects a first exit guide section of the connecting guide device provided in the exit area of the first conveying section to the circulating guide section, and an open position, that a third switchable guide element is provided which can be displaced between a closed position, in which it connects a second entry guide section of the connecting guide device provided in the entry area of the second conveying section to the circulating guide section, and an open position, and that a fourth switchable guide element is provided which can be displaced between a closed position, in which it connects a second exit guide section of the connecting guide device provided in the exit area of the second conveying section to the circulating guide section, and an open position. A connecting station is thereby created which can be constructed significantly shorter than known comparable connecting stations. The circulating guide section substantially functions as a central roundabout via which the cableway vehicles can be moved in a desired direction.
Preferably, a control unit for controlling the circular cableway is provided, and each switchable guide element has an actuating device which can be actuated by the control unit in order to displace the particular switchable guide element between the closed position and the open position. In this case, the actuating devices of the switchable guide elements preferably each have at least one of the following electrically actuatable actuators: hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, and electric motors. This allows a desired switching position of the switchable guide elements to be controlled centrally and preferably automatically via the control unit of the cableway. The mentioned actuators enable proven and reliable generation of a sufficient actuating force.
The control unit is preferably designed to operate the circular cableway in a first conveying operating mode in which the actuating devices of the first switchable guide element and the second switchable guide element are controlled in such a way that the first switchable guide element and the second switchable guide element are each in the closed position, and the actuating devices of the third switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are actuated in such a way that the third switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are each in the open position. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is preferably designed to operate the circular cableway in a second conveying operating mode in which the actuating devices of the first switchable guide element and the second switchable guide element are actuated in such a way that the first switchable guide element and the second switchable guide element are each in the open position, and the actuating devices of the third switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are actuated in such a way that the third switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are each in the closed position. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is preferably designed to operate the circular cableway in a third conveying operating mode in which the actuating devices of all four switchable guide elements are actuated in such a way that they are each in the closed position. As a result, in the first conveying operating mode, just the first conveying section can be operated, and the second conveying section can be deactivated. Similarly, in the second conveying operating mode, just the second conveying section can be operated, and the first conveying section can be deactivated. In the third conveying operating mode, the full length of both conveying sections can be used in that the two conveying sections are connected and operated simultaneously. Very flexible operation of the cableway is therefore possible, wherein only those parts are operated that are required for the current operation.
According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit can be designed to operate the circular cableway in a fourth conveying operating mode in which the actuating devices of the first switchable guide element and the second switchable guide element are controlled in such a way that the first switchable guide element and the second switchable guide element are each in the closed position, and the actuating devices of the third switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are controlled in such a way that the third switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are each moved cyclically between the closed position and the open position so that alternatingly, a number of consecutive cableway vehicles can be moved from the first conveying section via the fourth switchable guide element in the closed position into the exit area of the second conveying section, and at least one cableway vehicle immediately following the number of cableway vehicles can be moved into the exit area of the first conveying section along a part of the circulating guide section, wherein n∈ with
≥1. As a result, both conveying sections can be operated like in the third conveying operating mode. In contrast to the third conveying operating mode, however, the number of cableway vehicles and therefore the conveying capacity can be increased in the first conveying section and reduced in the second conveying section. If, for example, n=1 is used, then every second cableway vehicle in the first conveying section can be moved back into the first conveying section and inserted between two cableway vehicles in the second conveying section. If n=2, then every third cableway vehicle can be returned, if n=3, each fourth cableway vehicle, etc.
Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can also be designed to operate the circular cableway in a fifth conveying operating mode in which the actuating devices of the third switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are controlled in such a way that the third switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are each in the closed position, and the actuating devices of the first switchable guide element and the second switchable guide element are controlled in such a way that the first switchable guide element and the second switchable guide element are each moved cyclically between the closed position and the open position so that alternatingly, a number of consecutive cableway vehicles can be moved from the second conveying section via the second switchable guide element in the closed position into the exit area of the first conveying section, and at least one cableway vehicle immediately following the number of cableway vehicles can be moved into the exit area of the second conveying section along a part of the circulating guide section, wherein n∈ with
≥1. As a result, both conveying sections can be operated similarly to the third conveying operating mode. In contrast to the third conveying operating mode, however, in this case the number of cableway vehicles and therefore the conveying capacity can be increased in the second conveying section and reduced in the first conveying section, i.e. substantially vice versa, as in the fourth conveying operating mode.
Preferably, at least one sensor unit for detecting a switching state is provided for each of the switchable guide elements, and the control unit is designed to control the circular cableway depending on the switching states.
Preferably, the control unit is designed to operate the circular cableway in the first conveying operating mode when the sensor units provided for the first and second switchable guide elements each determine a sensor variable representative of the closed position, and the sensor units provided for the third and fourth switchable guide elements each determine a sensor variable representative of the open position. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is preferably designed to operate the circular cableway in the second conveying operating mode when the sensor units provided for the first and second switchable guide elements each determine a sensor variable representative of the open position, and the sensor units provided for the third and fourth switchable guide elements each determine a sensor variable representative of the closed position. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is preferably designed to operate the circular cableway in the third conveying operating mode when the sensor units of all four switchable guide elements each determine a sensor variable representative of the closed position. This can increase operational safety since the particular operating mode is only carried out when it is ensured that none of the relevant switchable guide elements is still in the open state. The sensor units can, for example, comprise electrical switches which close or interrupt a circuit in order to detect the closed position or the open position. Other suitable sensors can also be used to detect the switching state, such as capacitive sensors or inductive sensors, magnetic sensors or optical sensors.
Preferably, a first drive device for driving the first conveyor cable of the first conveying section and a second drive device for driving the second conveyor cable of the second conveying section are provided, and the control unit is designed to activate the first drive device and to deactivate the second drive device in the first conveying operating mode, and/or to activate the second drive device and deactivate the first drive device in the second conveying operating mode, and/or to activate the first drive device and the second drive device in the third, fourth and fifth conveying operating mode. As a result, only the drive device relevant to the particular operating mode can be operated automatically.
Advantageously, an auxiliary drive is also provided in the connecting station for moving the cableway vehicles decoupled from the conveyor cables along the connection guide device, wherein the control unit is designed to control the auxiliary drive in the first conveying operating mode in such a way that the cableway vehicles decoupled from the first conveyor cable of the first conveying section can be moved from the first entry guide section via a first part of the circulating guide section to the first exit guide section of the first conveying section, to control it in the second conveying operating mode in such a way that the cableway vehicles decoupled from the second conveyor cable of the second conveying section can be moved from the second entry guide section via a second part of the circulating guide section to the second exit guide section of the second conveying section, and to control it in the third conveying operating mode in such a way that the cableway vehicles decoupled from the first conveyor cable of the first conveying section can be moved from the first entry guide section via a third part of the circulating guide section to the second exit guide section of the second conveying section, and the cableway vehicles decoupled from the second conveyor cable of the second conveying section can be moved from the second entry guide section via a fourth part of the circulating guide section to the first exit guide section of the first conveying section.
In this way, only the part of the auxiliary drive relevant to a conveying operating mode can be activated in each case. The auxiliary drive can, for example, comprise a known tire conveyor, chain conveyor, or belt conveyor. A tire conveyor has, in a known manner, a plurality of driven friction wheels arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement along the guide device. The friction wheels interact with a friction lining of a cableway vehicle in order to drive the cableway vehicle decoupled from the conveyor cable. A chain conveyor has a driven chain on which a plurality of drivers are arranged. The drivers interact with a component of the cableway vehicle, for example a cable clamp, in order to drive the cableway vehicle. A belt conveyor has a driven belt on which a plurality of drivers are arranged. The drivers interact with a component of the cableway vehicle, for example a cable clamp, in order to drive the cableway vehicle. A combination of different embodiments is of course also possible. For example, a chain or belt conveyor could be provided for the movement from an entry guide section to the circulating guide section, or from the circulating guide section up to an exit guide section, and a belt conveyor for the movement along the circulating guide section.
According to a preferred embodiment, the circulating guide section is circular, oval or elliptical and preferably has a geometrically continuous curvature profile, particularly preferably with a G2 continuity. The shape of the circulating guide section can therefore be adapted to the existing space in the connecting station, for example, and substantially jerk-free movement along the circulating guide section can be enabled. The entire guide device preferably has a (G2) continuous curvature profile so that jerk-free movement is also possible in the transition from the entry guide sections to the circulating guide section or from the circulating guide section to the exit guide sections. This increases the comfort and also reduces the wear.
In an advantageous embodiment, the circulating guide section has a first curved section and an opposite second curved section, wherein a convex side of the first curved section of the first cable sheave faces the first conveying section, and a convex side of the second curved section of the second cable sheave faces the second conveying section. In addition, the circulating guide section preferably has a first straight section and an opposite, parallel second straight section which connect the curved sections in order to form the closed conveying loop, wherein the first switchable guide element and the fourth switchable guide element are connected to the first straight section in the closed position, and the second switchable guide element and the third switchable guide element are connected to the second straight section in the closed position. The curved sections are preferably designed as circular arc sections, and the switchable guide elements are preferably each connected to the associated entry guide section or exit guide section so as to be pivotable about an axis. A preferred embodiment is thereby provided which enables a very compact design.
These and other aspects are merely illustrative of the innumerable aspects associated with the present disclosure and should not be deemed as limiting in any manner. These and other aspects, 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 present disclosure and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the 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.
In the following detailed description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. For example, the present disclosure is not limited in scope to the particular type of industry application depicted in the figures. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure.
The headings 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 “Background” 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.
Furthermore, connecting station V arranged between the first cableway station 3a and the second cableway station 3b is provided which connects the two conveying sections F1, F2. The first conveyor cable 2a of the first conveying section F1 is deflected around a first cable sheave 5a in the first cableway station 3a and in the connecting station V in order to form a closed cable loop. In the same way, the second conveyor cable 2a of the second conveying section F2 is deflected around a second cable sheave 5b in the second cableway station 3b and in the connecting station V in order to form a closed cable loop. Furthermore, a plurality of preferably identical cableway vehicles 4 are provided in the cableway 1. On the one hand, a number of cableway vehicles 4 can be moved with the first conveyor cable 2a in the first conveying section F1, and a number of cableway vehicles 4 can be moved with the second conveyor cable 2b in the second conveying section F2. On the other hand, the two conveying sections F1, F2 can be connected by the connecting station, whereby the two conveyor cables 2a, 2b substantially form a long cable loop along which the cableway vehicles 4 can be moved between the two end stations 3a, 3b. The cableway vehicles 4 in this case are designed as cabin vehicles, for example, and each have a cabin for accommodating persons and/or objects. In principle, however, chair vehicles could also be used, for example, which each have a chair for accommodating persons.
A first guide device 6a is provided within the first cableway station 3a. The cableway vehicles 4 can be decoupled from the first conveyor cable 2a in an entry area E of the first cableway station 3a and can be moved along the first guide device 6a parallel to a platform B at a reduced speed relative to the first conveyor cable 2a to the exit area A of the first cableway station 3a. The first guide device 6a therefore serves to turn the cableway vehicles 4. In the same way, a second guide device 6b for turning the cableway vehicles 4 is provided within the second cableway stations 3b. The cableway vehicles 4 can in turn be decoupled from the second conveyor cable 2b in an entry area E of the second cableway station 3b and can be moved along the second guide device 6b parallel to a platform B at a reduced speed relative to the second conveyor cable 2b to the exit area A of the second cableway station 3b. Passengers P can enter or exit the cableway vehicles 4 via the platforms B, as indicated by the arrows in
A connection guide device D is provided in the connecting station V for connecting the two conveying sections F1, F2. The connection guide device D has a first turning section W1 for the first conveying section F1 and a second turning section W2 for the second conveying section F2. The first turning section W1 is designed substantially the same as the first guide device 6a of the first cableway station 3a, and the second turning section W2 is designed substantially the same as the second guide device 6b of the second cableway station 3b. Furthermore, the connection guide device D has a first passage guide section D1 and a second passage guide section D2 which are arranged here at a distance from and parallel to one another transversely to the direction of movement of the cableway vehicles 4.
In addition, four switchable guide elements S1-S4 are provided which are each displaceable between an open position (shown in
If the switchable guide elements S1-S4 are open, then both conveying sections F1, F2 can, for example, be operated independently of one another. Alternatively, however, only one of the two conveying sections F1, F2 could also be operated, while each of the other conveying sections F1, F2 is out of operation. The cableway vehicles 4 of the first conveying section F1 can then be moved from the entry area E1 of the connecting station V provided for the first conveying section F1 via the first turning section W1 to the exit area A1 of the connecting station V provided for the first conveying section F1. In the same way, the cableway vehicles 4 of the second conveying section F2 can be moved from the entry area E2 of the connecting station V provided for the second conveying section F2 via the first turning section W1 from the exit area A2 of the connecting station V provided for the second conveying section F2.
To detachably couple to the conveyor cables 2a, 2b, the cableway vehicles 4 each have a cable clamp (not shown) in a known manner. The cable clamps are usually pretensioned in the closed state by a pretensioning device, e.g. comprising a number of springs, and can be actuated to open in the entry areas E, E1, E2 and in the exit areas A, A1, A2 by suitable stationary actuating devices (not shown) against the pretensioning force of the pretensioning device. Such cable clamps are known in the prior art, which is why no further explanation is given here. One or more guide rollers with which the cableway vehicles 4 can roll along the guide devices 6a, 6b, D are generally also arranged in the region of the cable clamps.
Of course, a suitable drive device is also provided in the cableway 1 to drive the cableway vehicles 4. The drive device comprises at least one first drive unit 13a, for example in the form of an electrical machine for driving the first conveyor cable 2a, and at least one second drive unit 13b, for example in the form of an electrical machine for driving the second conveyor cable 2b. The first drive unit 13a can, for example, be arranged in the first cableway station 2a and be designed to drive the first cable sheave 5a, and the second drive unit 13b can be arranged, for example, in the second cableway station 2b and be designed to drive the second cable sheave 5b. Alternatively or additionally, however, the first drive unit 13a and the second drive unit 13b could also be arranged in the connecting station V, for example, and be designed to drive the first cable sheave 5a or the second cable sheave 5b.
In the first and second cableway stations 3a, 3b and the connecting station V, a suitable auxiliary drive (not shown) is furthermore provided in order to move the cableway vehicles 4 decoupled from the particular conveyor cable 2a, 2b along the first or second guide device 6a, 6b or along the connection guide device D. The drive device therefore preferably also comprises drive units for driving the auxiliary drives. The auxiliary drives can be designed in a known manner and, for example, each have a plurality of driven friction wheels which are arranged one behind the other along the particular guide device 6a, 6b, D. To drive the cableway vehicles 4, the friction wheels interact with friction linings which are provided on the cableway vehicles 4, for example on the cable clamps. A chain conveyor can also be used as an auxiliary drive in a known manner.
Furthermore, a suitable control device 10 is also provided in the cableway 1 and is designed to control the cableway 1, in particular the drive device. The control device 10 can have suitable hardware and/or software and can be provided, for example, in one of the cableway stations 3a, 3b or in the connecting station V. The control device 10 could of course also comprise a plurality of separate control units which communicate with one another. This sufficiently describes the basic structure and function of the multi-section circular cableway 1. The cableway 1 according to the present disclosure is explained in more detail below with reference to
For the sake of simplicity, only the connecting station V of the cableway 1 is shown in
A circulating guide section 7 for connecting the two conveying sections F1, F2, which forms a closed conveying loop along which the cableway vehicles 4 can be moved, is provided in the connection guide device D. Furthermore, a first entry guide section 8a, a first exit guide section 9a and a second entry guide section 8b and a second exit guide section 9b are provided in the connection guide device D. The first entry guide section 8a is arranged in the entry area E1 of the first conveying section F1, and the first exit guide section 9a is arranged in the exit area A1 of the first conveying section F1. In the same way, the second entry guide section 8b is arranged in the entry area E2 of the second conveying section F2, and the second exit guide section 9a is arranged in the exit area A2 of the second conveying section F2. As can be seen in
Furthermore, a first switchable guide element S1 is provided in the connection guide device D and is displaceable between a closed position, in which it connects the first entry guide section 8a to the circulating guide section 7, and an open position. In addition, a second switchable guide element S2 is provided which is displaceable between a closed position, in which it connects the first exit guide section 9a to the circulating guide section 7, and an open position. In the same way, a third switchable guide element S3 and a fourth switchable guide element S4 are provided. The third switchable guide element S3 is displaceable between a closed position, in which it connects the second entry guide section 8b to the circulating guide section 7, and an open position, and the fourth switchable guide element S4 is displaceable between a closed position, in which it connects the second exit guide section 9b to the circulating guide section 7, and an open position. The switching elements S1-S4 in turn act as switches for the cableway vehicles 4.
Each switchable guide element S1-S4 preferably has an actuating device 11 which can be actuated by the control unit 10 of the cableway 1 in order to displace the particular switchable guide element S1-S4 between the closed position and the open position. The actuating devices 11 of the switchable guide elements S1-S4 can, for example, each have at least one of the following electrically actuatable actuators: hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders or electric motors. According to a preferred embodiment, either 400 V three-phase motors or 24 V DC motors are used.
The circulating guide section 7 substantially forms a central roundabout that is between the first conveying section F1 and the second conveying section F2. Both conveying sections F1, F2 can therefore each use a part of the circulating guide section 7 as a turning section, whereby the connection guide device D and consequently the connecting station V can be constructed more compactly compared to the prior art (according to
In the shown example, the circulating guide section 7 has a first curved section 7a and an opposite second curved section 7b which are designed here as circular arc sections. A convex side of the first curved section 7a faces the first cable sheave 5a of the first conveying section F1 and faces a convex side of the second curved section 7b of the second pulley 5b of the second conveying section F2. Furthermore, the circulating guide section 7 here has a first straight section 14a and an opposite parallel second straight section 14b which connects the ends of the curved sections 7a, 7b to one another in order to form the closed conveying loop. In the closed position, the first switchable guide element S1 and the fourth switchable guide element S3 are connected to the first straight section 14a. In the closed position, the second switchable guide element S2 and the third switchable guide element S3 are connected to the second straight section 14b.
The switchable guide elements S1-S4 can, for example, each be connected to the associated entry guide section 8a, 8b or exit guide section 9a, 9b so as to be pivotable about a, for example vertical, axis R. The switchable guide elements S1-S4 can therefore be pivoted by the associated actuating devices 11 about the particular axis R selectively and individually between the open position (indicated by dashed lines in
As was mentioned above with reference to
The circular cableway 1 can be operated in a first conveying operating mode in which exclusively the first conveying section F1 is used. The control unit 10 can actuate the actuating devices 11 of the first switchable guide element S1 and the second switchable guide element S2 in such a way that the switchable guide elements S1, S2 are each in the closed position. In addition, the actuating devices 11 of the third switchable guide element S3 and the fourth switchable guide element S4 can be actuated in such a way that the switchable guide elements S3, S4 are each in the (dashed) open position.
In the first conveying operating mode, the control unit 10 can activate the first drive device 13a of the first conveying section F1 and deactivate the second drive device 13b of the second conveying section F2. In addition, the control unit 10 can actuate the auxiliary drive in the first conveying operating mode in such a way that the cableway vehicles 4 decoupled from the first conveyor cable 2a of the first conveying section F1 can be moved from the first entry guide section 8a via a first part of the circulating guide section 7 to the first exit guide section 9a of the first conveying section F1. In the shown example, the first part of the circulating guide section 7 is formed by the first straight section 14a, the second curved section 7b and the second straight section 14b. The first entry guide section 8a, the first part of the circulating guide section 7, and the first exit guide section 9a together substantially form the first turning section W1 from
This means that the control unit 10 preferably only activates the necessary part of the auxiliary drive that is required for the first conveying operating mode. In the above-mentioned embodiment of the auxiliary drive, this can mean, for example, that the tire conveyor of the first entry guide section 8a, the tire conveyor of the first exit guide section 9a, the tire conveyor of the circulating guide section 7, and the chain conveyor of the first and second switchable guide elements S1, S2 are activated. Optionally, only the part of the tire conveyor of the circulating guide section 7 required for movement along the first part of the circulating guide section 7 can also be active, in this case, for example, for moving along the first straight section 14a, the second curved section 7b and the second straight section 14b. The tire conveyor of the second entry guide section 8b, the tire conveyor of the second exit guide section 9b, and the chain conveyor of the third and fourth switchable guide elements S3, S4 (and optionally the unrequired part of the tire conveyor of the circulating guide section 7, in this case, for example, the first curved section 7a) can be deactivated by the control unit 10 in the first conveying operating mode.
The circular cableway 1 can also be operated in a second conveying operating mode in which exclusively the second conveying section F2 is used. In this case, the control unit 10 can actuate the actuating devices 11 of the third switchable guide element S3 and the fourth switchable guide element S4 in such a way that the switchable guide elements S3, S4 are each in the closed position. In addition, the actuating devices 11 of the first switchable guide element S1 and the second switchable guide element S2 can be actuated in such a way that the switchable guide elements S2, S3 are each in the (dashed) closed position.
In the second conveying operating mode, the control unit 10 can deactivate the first drive device 13a of the first conveying section F1 and activate the second drive device 13b of the second conveying section F2. In addition, the control unit 10 can actuate the auxiliary drive in the second conveying operating mode in such a way that the cableway vehicles 4 decoupled from the second conveyor cable 2b of the second conveying section F2 can be moved from the second entry guide section 8b via a second part of the circulating guide section 7 to the second exit guide section 9b of the second conveying section F2. In the shown example, the second part of the circulating guide section 7 is formed by the second straight section 14b, the first curved section 7a and the first straight section 14a. The second entry guide section 8b, the second part of the circulating guide section 7, and the second exit guide section 9b together therefore substantially form the second turning section W2 from
Furthermore, the circular cableway 1 can also be operated in a third, fourth or fifth conveying operating mode described below, in which the two conveying sections F1, F2 are used. In the third conveying operating mode, the control unit 10 can actuate the actuating devices 11 of the four switchable guide elements S1-S4 in such a way that all switchable guide elements S1-S4 are in the closed position in each case. In the third conveying operating mode, the control unit 10 can activate the first drive device 13a of the first conveying section F1 and activate the second drive device 13b of the second conveying section F1.
In addition, the control unit 10 can actuate the auxiliary drive in the third conveying operating mode in such a way that the cableway vehicles 4 decoupled from the first conveyor cable 2a of the first conveying section F1 can be moved from the first entry guide section 8a via a third part of the circulating guide section 7 to the second exit guide section 9b of the second conveying section F2, and that the cableway vehicles 4 decoupled from the second conveyor cable 2b of the second conveying section F2 can be moved from the second entry guide section 8b via a fourth part of the circulating guide section 7 to the first exit guide section 9a of the first conveying section F1. In the shown example, the third part of the circulating guide section 7 is formed by the first straight section 14a, and the fourth part of the circulating guide section 7 is formed by the second straight section 14b in the shown example. The first straight section 14a therefore substantially forms the first passage guide section D1 from
In the fourth conveying operating mode, the control unit 10 can actuate the actuating devices 11 of the first switchable guide element S1 and the second switchable guide element S2 in such a way that the first switchable guide element S1 and the second switchable guide element S2 are each in the closed position, analogously to the first and the third conveying operating mode. In contrast, the actuating devices 11 of the third switchable guide element S3 and the fourth switchable guide element S4 are controlled in the fourth conveying operating mode in such a way that the third switchable guide element S3 and the fourth switchable guide element S4 are each cyclically displaced between the closed position and the open position.
As a result, a plurality of consecutive cableway vehicles 4 can be moved by means of the first conveyor cable 2a into the entry area E1 of the first conveying section F1 and can be decoupled from the first conveyor cable 2a in the entry area E1 of the first conveying section F1. In the decoupled state, the cableway vehicles 4 can each be moved along the first entry guide section 8a via the first switchable guide element S1 in the closed position to the circulating guide section 7 and via the third part of the circulating guide section 7 (which is formed by the first straight section 14a) up to the fourth switchable guide element S4.
Depending on the switching pattern according to which the actuating device 11 of the fourth switchable guide element S4 is actuated by the control unit 10, a number (n) of consecutive cableway vehicles 4 can now alternatingly be moved to the second exit guide section 9b and further into the exit area A2 of the second conveying section F2 (if the fourth switchable guide element S4 is in the closed position), and a cableway vehicle 4 immediately following the number n of cableway vehicles 4 can be moved (when the fourth switchable guide element S4 is in the open position) via the first part of the circulating guide section 7 and via the second switchable guide element S2 in the closed position to the first exit guide section 9a of the first conveying section F1. In the shown example, the first part of the circulating guide section 7 is formed by the first straight section 14a, the second curved section 7b and the second straight section 14b.
The switching pattern of the actuating device 11 of the fourth switchable guide element S4 can thereby be defined in such a way that n∈ with
≥1. When n=1, it means, for example, that a cableway vehicle 4 coming from the entry area E1 of the first conveying section F1 is conveyed into the exit area A2 of the second conveying section F2 (via the closed fourth switchable guide element S4), and the following cableway vehicle 4 coming from the entry area E1 of the first conveying section F1 is conveyed back into the exit area A1 of the first conveying section F1 (via the open fourth switchable guide element S4 and the closed second switchable guide element S2). As a result, the number of cableway vehicles 4 and consequently the conveying capacity can be doubled in the first conveying section F1 or halved in the second conveying section F2. Depending on how the number n is selected, different ratios can accordingly be set between the conveying capacity in the first conveying section F1 and the conveying capacity in the second conveying section F2. When n=2, for example, each third cableway vehicle 4 is returned to the first conveying section F1, when n=3, each fourth cableway vehicle 4, etc. The fourth conveying operating mode offers the advantage that both conveying sections F1, F2 can be operated simultaneously, and that the transport capacity can be adapted to the passenger volume of the particular conveying section F1, F2.
In the same way, the circular cableway 1 can be operated in a fifth conveying operating mode in which the actuating devices 11 of the third switchable guide element S3 and the fourth switchable guide element S4 are controlled in such a way that the third switchable guide element S3 and the fourth switchable guide element S4 are each in the closed position. The actuating devices 11 of the first switchable guide element S1 and the second switchable guide element S2 are in turn controlled in such a way that the first switchable guide element S1 and the second switchable guide element S2 are each cyclically displaced between the closed position and the open position.
As a result, a plurality of consecutive cableway vehicles 4 can be moved by means of the second conveyor cable 2b into the entry area E2 of the second conveying section F2 and decoupled from the second conveyor cable 2b in the entry area E2. In the decoupled state, the cableway vehicles 4 can each be moved along the second entry guide section 8b via the third switchable guide element S3 in the closed position to the circulating guide section 7 and via the fourth part of the circulating guide section 7 (which is formed by the second straight section 14b) up to the second switchable guide element S2.
Depending on the switching pattern according to which the actuating device 11 of the second switchable guide element S2 is actuated by the control unit 10, a number n of consecutive cableway vehicles 4 can now alternatingly be moved to the first exit guide section 9a and further into the exit area A1 of the first conveying section F1 (when the second switchable guide element S2 is in the closed position), and a cableway vehicle 4 immediately following the number n of cableway vehicles 4 can be moved (when the second switchable guide element S2 is in the open position) via the second part of the circulating guide section 7 and via the fourth switchable guide element S4 in the closed position to the second exit guide section 9b of the second conveying section F2. In the shown example, the second part of the circulating guide section 7 is formed by the second straight section 14b, the first curved section 7a and the first straight section 14a.
The switching pattern of the actuating device 11 of the fourth switchable guide element S4 can in turn be defined in such a way that n∈ with
≥1. When n=1, this means that a cableway vehicle 4 coming from the entry area E2 of the second conveying section F2 is conveyed into the exit area A1 of the first conveying section F1 (via the closed second switchable guide element S2). The following cableway vehicle 4 coming from the entry area E2 of the second conveying section F2 can be conveyed back (via the open second switchable guide element S2 and the closed fourth switchable guide element S4) into the exit area A2 of the second conveying section F2. In the fifth conveying operating mode, the number of cableway vehicles 4 and consequently the conveying capacity can therefore be doubled in the second conveying section F2 or halved in the first conveying section F1. Depending on how the number n is selected, different ratios can in turn arise between the conveying capacity in the second conveying section F2 and the conveying capacity in the first conveying section F1. When n=2, for example, each third cableway vehicle 4 is returned to the second conveying section F2, when n=3, each fourth cableway vehicle 4, etc.
A suitable detection device (not shown) for detecting cableway vehicles 4 in certain sections of the connection guide device D can also be provided in the connecting station V. The detection device can communicate with the control unit 10 in a suitable manner and generate a sensor value representative of the presence of a cableway vehicle 4 and transmit it to the control unit 10. For example, the detection device can be designed to recognize a presence of cableway vehicles 4 on a switchable guide element S1-S4. This can prevent a switchable guide element S1-S4 from being actuated by the control unit 10 when a cableway vehicle 4 is currently located on the particular guide element S1-S4. Additionally or alternatively, the detection device can also be designed to detect a presence of cableway vehicles 4 in the direction of movement before a switchable guide element S1-S4, or in the direction of movement after a switchable guide element S1-S4. It is also possible to detect a cableway vehicle 4 in a certain region of the circulating guide section 7.
The detection device can, for example, have a number of sensors for detecting a presence of cableway vehicles 4 which are arranged at a suitable position of the connection guide device D. A proximity sensor can be used as a sensor, for example, which can detect the presence of a cableway vehicle 4 in a contactless manner. A proximity sensor can be designed, for example, as an inductive sensor, capacitive sensor, magnetic sensor, optical sensor, ultrasonic sensor or light barrier. A contact switch could also be used which detects the presence of a cableway vehicle 4, for example, in that the contact switch is actuated by a component of the cableway vehicle 4.
The use of a detection device is advantageous in particular for the fourth and fifth conveying operating mode because in this case, a cyclic opening and closing of the third guide element S3 and the fourth switchable guide element S4 (fourth conveying operating mode) or a cyclic opening and closing of the first guide element S1 and the second switchable guide element S2 (fifth conveying operating mode) takes place depending on the above-mentioned number n of cableway vehicles 4. The control unit 10 can use the sensor values generated by the detection device for controlling the actuating devices 11 of the switchable guide elements S1-S4.
For example, in the fourth conveying operating mode with a fixed number n (e.g. n=1), the control unit 10 can use the sensor values generated by the detection device to determine when the number n of cableway vehicles 4 has passed the fourth switchable guide element S4. For this purpose, for example, a sensor can be provided directly in the region of the fourth switchable guide element S4 or in the region of the second exit guide section 9b in the direction of movement after the fourth switchable guide element S4. After the number n cableway vehicles 4 has passed, the control unit 10 can actuate the actuating device 11 of the fourth switchable guide element S4 in order to displace the fourth switchable guide element S4 from the closed position into the open position.
Now the control unit 10 can use the sensor values generated by the detection device to determine when the at least one cableway vehicle 4 following the number n of cableway vehicles 4 has passed the branch from the circulating guide section 7 (here the first straight section 14a) to the fourth switchable guide element S4. For this purpose, for example, a sensor can be provided in the region of the circulating guide section 7 in the direction of movement after the branch, for example in
Similarly, the third switchable guide element S3 can also be cyclically opened and closed depending on sensor values of the detection device in order to introduce the at least one cableway vehicle 4 between two consecutive cableway vehicles 4 which are moved from the entry area E2 of the second conveying section F2 to the exit area A1 of the first conveying section F1. For this purpose, for example, one or more suitable sensors can again be provided in the region of the third switchable guide element S3 and/or upstream in the direction of movement (for example in the region of the second entry guide section 8b) or downstream in the direction of movement (for example in the region of the second straight section 7b).
The same as was described for the fourth conveying operating mode naturally applies in the fifth conveying operating mode in an analogous manner for the actuation of the second switchable guide element S2 and the first switchable guide element S1. No repetition will therefore be made at this point.
Preferably, at least one sensor unit 12 for detecting a switching state is provided for each of the switchable guide elements S1-S4. The control unit 10 can then use the sensor values representative of the particular switching state for controlling the circular cableway 1. The operational safety can thereby be increased in that the operating modes are executed depending on the switching states. The sensor unit 12 is indicated merely by way of example for the fourth switchable guide element S4. Contrary to the shown arrangement on the guide element S4, the sensor unit 12 can of course also be arranged at another suitable location, for example on the first straight section 14a or in the region of the axis R. This substantially depends on the structural design of the sensor unit 12. The same naturally applies to all four guide elements S1-S4.
For example, the control unit 10 can operate the cableway 1 in the first conveying operating mode when the sensor units 12 provided for the first and second switchable guide elements S1, S2 each determine a sensor variable representative of the closed position, and the sensor units 12 provided for the third and fourth switchable guide elements S3, S4 each determine a sensor variable representative of the open position. In the same way, the control unit 10 can operate the circular cableway 1 in the second conveying operating mode when the sensor units 12 provided for the first and second switchable guide elements S1, S2 each determine a sensor variable representative of the open position, and the sensor units 12 provided for the third and fourth switchable guide elements S3, S4 each determine a sensor variable representative of the closed position. Furthermore, the control unit can operate the circular cableway 1 in the third conveying operating mode when the sensor units 12 of all four switchable guide elements S1-S4 each determine a sensor variable representative of the closed position.
The sensor units 12 can in this case each have a suitable sensor, for example an electrical switch, a displacement sensor, a proximity sensor, etc. The sensors can also use different measuring principles, for example inductive measurement, capacitive measurement, optical measurement, etc. The sensor units 12 can, for example, be connected to the control unit 10 via a suitable sensor line in order to transmit the sensor value. For the sake of simplicity, the sensor line is also only shown for the fourth switching element S4.
The cableway 1 according to the present disclosure can therefore be operated very flexibly in a desired operating mode, wherein the connecting station V can be designed to be significantly more compact than before.
The preferred 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A50935/2022 | Dec 2022 | AT | national |
