RUNNING GEAR FOR A GONDOLA OF A GONDOLA LIFT SYSTEM, SUPPORT MEANS FOR GONDOLAS OF A GONDOLA LIFT SYSTEM, GONDOLA FOR A GONDOLA LIFT SYSTEM, GONDOLA LIFT SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A RUNNING GEAR

Abstract

A running gear for a gondola of a gondola lift system for use with support means of the gondola lift system. The running gear includes a running gear frame coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm, and at least one running wheel, rotatably mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of the support means. The running gear includes a guide unit coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever. The guide unit includes a guide element for a form fit with one of two guide devices of the support means, and an actuator element for the form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support means that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device. The running gear includes a control element for swiveling the cantilever together with the guide unit.

Description

FIELD

The present invention is directed to a device or a method for running gear for a gondola of a gondola lift system. Moreover, the subject matter of the present invention relates to a computer program.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Cable cars for use in the urban environment, for example, may typically include a cabin-external drive in the form of a traction cable or the like. For such cable cars, branchings of the travel path may customarily take place at intermediate stations provided specifically for this purpose. For cable cars with a cabin-internal drive, a change in the travel path may typically take place with the aid of active switches that are actuated on the infrastructure side.

SUMMARY

Against this background, in accordance with the present invention, a running gear for a gondola of a gondola lift system, support means (i.e., arrangement) for gondolas of a gondola lift system, a gondola for a gondola lift system, a gondola lift system, and a method for activating a running gear, in addition to a control unit that uses this method, and lastly, a corresponding computer program are provided. Advantageous refinements and enhancements of the device stated in the present invention are possible by use of the measures disclosed herein. According to specific embodiments of the present invention, in particular a travel path for railway or cable car concepts may be selected using passive switches. This may be utilized, for example, for an urban transport system based on autonomously operating, individually electrically driven cabins on the infrastructure of a cable car with stationary support cables or a fixed travel path. Flexibility of the routes may be increased, in particular compared to conventional urban cable cars, for example circulating cable cars with coupleable cabins. In contrast to conventional switch concepts, in particular passive switches may be provided, it being possible for the travel path to be selected solely via a suitable actuator system at the gondola, or more precisely, a running gear of the gondola. Such switches may thus be implemented without a dedicated actuator system. A topology for active switches may thus be achieved, i.e., for switches which, via suitable communication with a gondola that is in travel, may set a desired travel path state via a suitable actuator system on the gondola side. A centralized traffic control that may transfer switchover commands to a gondola may also optionally be dispensed with. For example, it may be provided to assign a destination as well as possibly general waypoints to the gondola. In particular, a sequence of switchover operations may be ascertained therefrom on the gondola side, based on an instantaneous position and a structure of a travel path network stored in the gondola control unit. A switchover may be triggered, for example in each case upon approaching a switch or branch point, based on either a satellite navigation signal or a signal generator, for example magnetically, at the travel path, which may mark and optionally also uniquely identify an upcoming switch.

In particular, for switches a power supply, an actuator system, a communication unit, and safety systems, for example software or mechanical or electrical systems, or the like that rule out traveling across a defective switch, for example in the half-opened state, or other elements may thus be advantageously dispensed with on the travel path side. Depending on the requirements, such elements may be dispensed with entirely, or fallback levels or redundancies may be saved. In addition, a line capacity may be increased via passive switches, since in principle a switchover may take place directly during an unbraked passage across the switch. Thus, in principle there is no need for further safety distances to be adhered to between gondolas for switchover times, or for emergency braking when defects are detected during the switchover. In particular, routing of a cable car that is driven by individual gondolas, and thus branchings and stations, may be easily influenced in a simplified manner. In combination with individually driven gondolas without predefined routes and a cost-effective infrastructure on pylons and cables, for example widely branched route networks may be achieved which differ from a linear routing of conventional cable cars, but also from trolley cars or local trains. Development of urban areas may be improved in this way. Flexible routing may be achieved, unlike with conventional urban cable cars. Since a movable cable or traction cable is not required, a route does not need to run along a straight line. Changes of direction are possible not only at intermediate stations, but also at all switches, which may save additional drives and thus costs. Such a system with units that are driven by individual gondolas allows changes of direction at each pylon, or for a fixed travel path, at each switch on the route.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a running gear for a gondola of a gondola lift system is provided, the running gear being provided for use with support means of the gondola lift system, the running gear having the following features:

• • a running gear frame that is coupled or coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm;
  • at least one running wheel, rotatably mounted or mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of the support means;
  • a guide unit that is coupled or coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever, the guide unit including a guide element for the form fit with one of two guide devices of the support means, and an actuator element for the form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support means that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device; and
  • at least one control element for swiveling the cantilever together with the guide unit in order to selectively establish, at a branch point of the support means, the form fit with one of the guide devices and with one of the actuator devices in order to select the travel path of the gondola.

The cabin may be an open or closed cabin. The cabin may also be designed as a trough, a basket, or the like. The cabin may be designed for transporting persons, and additionally or alternatively, goods. A running gear frame may be understood to mean a frame structure that is capable of bearing the load for supporting the gondola. A support arm may be understood to mean a rod- or tube-shaped component that is articulatedly connected to the running gear frame or to the cabin. The support means may include at least one suspension rail, and additionally or alternatively at least one support cable. A suspension rail may be understood to mean a rail for suspending a gondola, and along which the gondola may be moved while suspended. A support cable, in contrast to a circulating conveyor cable, may be understood to mean a stationary cable that may be stretched across one or multiple pylons or fixed to other structural elements such as buildings, secondary support cables, or bridges. The at least one running device may be designed as a suspension rail or a support cable or as part of a suspension rail or a support cable. Each of the guide devices may be designed as a suspension rail or rail. Each of the actuator devices may be designed as a suspension rail or rail. The control element may be designed as at least one electric motor or some other actuator. The control element may be coupled or coupleable directly to the cantilever or via a gear. The running gear may include a plurality of running wheels.

According to one specific example embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit may include at least one pair of rollers. The pair of rollers may include a guide roller as a guide element, and an actuator roller as an actuator element. The guide roller and the actuator roller may have a shared rotational axis. The guide roller and the actuator roller may each be designed, for example, as a vertically, horizontally, or obliquely oriented guide roller. Such a specific embodiment offers the advantage that a simple and safe deflection of the running device corresponding to the selected travel path may be effectuated.

In addition, the guide element and the actuator element may be stationarily situated relative to one another at the cantilever. Additionally or alternatively, the cantilever together with the guide unit may be situated preceding the at least one running wheel in the travel direction of the running gear. Such a specific embodiment offers the advantage that the running device may be deflected in the area of a branch point of the support means in a reliable and constrained manner, depending on the selected travel path. In addition, this may take place at the right time before the running gear reaches the branch point.

Furthermore, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the running gear may include a drive unit for driving the at least one running wheel and additionally or alternatively the guide unit. A drive unit may be understood to mean at least one electric motor. The drive unit may optionally include a gear. The running gear may also include a current collector, situated or situatable at the running gear frame, for electrically contacting a conductor section of the support means. The current collector may be designed as a swivelable arm, for example. The drive unit may be electrically connected or connectable to the current collector. Such a specific embodiment offers the advantage that a gondola-individual drive may be implemented in a simple and safe manner.

Support means for gondolas of a gondola lift system are also provided, the support means being provided for use with one specific embodiment of the above-mentioned running gear, the support means having the following features:

• • a running device that may be traveled on by the at least one running wheel of the running gear; and
  • two guide devices and two actuator devices for the form fit with the guide unit of the running gear, each of the actuator devices being rigidly coupled to the running device in order to deflect the running device.

The support means may be designed to provide safe travel paths for gondolas, each of which includes one specific embodiment of the running gear mentioned above. The support means may also include pylons, stanchions, or the like for fastening the running device and the guide devices as well as the actuator devices.

According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the running device may be situated between two pairs, each made up of a guide device and an actuator device, in the area of at least one branch point of the support means. A first pair made up of a first guide device and a first actuator device, and a second pair made up of a second guide device and a second actuator device, may thus be provided. Each of the pairs may be associated with a branch of the support means. Outside the branch point, the support means may include only the running device. Such a specific embodiment offers the advantage that the travel path may be selected reliably and in an uncomplicated manner solely in the area of branch points, using the guide devices and actuator devices.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, for each travel direction of the gondolas, each pair may include a threading section for threading the guide unit of the running gear into the guide device and the actuator device of the pair. Each threading section may be funnel-shaped or have some other tapered shape. Such a specific embodiment offers the advantage that errors when a branch point is overrun may be avoided, and a safe travel path selection may be compelled.

In addition, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the support means may include at least one branch point. The running device in the area of the at least one branch point may include a separate deflectable subsection that is coupled to the actuator devices. The subsection may be situated between the two pairs made up of a guide device and an actuator device in each case. “Separate” may mean that the subsection is decoupled from further sections of the running device outside the branch point. Such a specific embodiment offers the advantage that the travel path selection at the branch point may be achieved solely via a movably situated component, the subsection, on the infrastructure side.

The subsection may be selectively deflectable by the particular one of the actuator devices that is in form fit connection with the guide unit of the running gear. The subsection in an undeflected rest position may enable a first travel path, and in a deflected position may enable a second travel path. Thus, when there is a form fit between the guide unit and the first actuator device, the subsection may remain undeflected in the rest position via a first actuator device that is associated with the first travel path. In addition, when there is a form fit between the guide unit and the second actuator device, the subsection may be deflected into the deflected position via a second actuator device that is associated with the second travel path.

Furthermore, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a gondola for a gondola lift system is provided, the gondola having the following features:

• • one specific embodiment of the running gear mentioned above;
  • a cabin, the running gear being coupled to the cabin via the support arm.

By use of one specific example embodiment of the running gear of the present invention, the gondola may be safely and reliably moved along the support means of the gondola lift system.

Moreover, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a gondola lift system is provided, the gondola lift system having the following features:

• • at least one example of one specific embodiment of the gondola mentioned above; and
  • one specific embodiment of the support means mentioned above, the support means being designed to carry the at least one gondola.

In the gondola lift system, the support means and the at least one gondola may advantageously cooperate in order to carry out safe transport of the at least one gondola along the support means in the gondola lift system.

In addition, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method for activating one specific embodiment of the above-mentioned running gear is provided, the method including the following steps:

• • reading in a satellite navigation signal and/or a sensor signal that are/is generated using at least one surroundings sensor situated at the gondola and/or at the support means, and/or a control signal that is generated using a central server device and/or a mobile terminal; and
  • generating an activation signal for activating the at least one control element, using the satellite navigation signal and/or the sensor signal and/or the control signal.

This method may be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form made up of software and hardware, for example in a control unit. A satellite navigation signal may be understood to mean a signal for position determination that is provided by a satellite system such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or Beidou. The surroundings sensor or the surroundings sensors may be, for example, one or multiple radar sensors, LIDAR sensors, or ultrasonic sensors, one or multiple cameras, or combinations of the stated sensors. The central server device may in particular be a cloud server. A mobile terminal may be understood to mean a smart phone, tablet, or laptop, for example. The at least one control element may be designed to swivel the cantilever together with the guide unit, using the activation signal, in order to selectively establish the form fit with one of the guide devices and one of the actuator devices at a branch point of the support means in order to select the travel path of the gondola.

Moreover, the approach presented here provides a control unit that is designed to carry out, control, or implement the steps of one variant of a method provided here in appropriate units. By use of this embodiment variant of the present invention in the form of a control unit, the object underlying the present invention may also be achieved quickly and efficiently. The control unit may be designed as a part of the running gear or of the gondola. Thus, the running gear or the gondola may include the control unit.

For this purpose, the control unit may include at least one processing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, and at least one interface to a sensor or an actuator for reading in sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting control signals to the actuator and/or at least one communication interface for reading in or outputting data that are embedded in a communication protocol. The processing unit may be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, or the like, it being possible for the memory unit to be a flash memory, an EPROM, or a magnetic memory unit. The communication interface may be designed for reading in or outputting data wirelessly and/or in a hard-wired manner, it being possible for a communication interface to read in or output the hard-wired data electrically or optically, for example, from a corresponding data transmission line or output these data into a corresponding data transmission line.

In the present context, a control unit may be understood to mean an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and/or data signals as a function thereof. The control unit may include an interface that may have a hardware and/or software design. In a hardware design, the interfaces may be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains various functions of the control unit. However, it is also possible for the interfaces to be dedicated, integrated circuits, or to be at least partially made up of discrete components. In a software design, the interfaces may be software modules that are present on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program including program code that may be stored on a machine-readable medium or memory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or an optical memory, and used for carrying out, implementing, and/or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the specific embodiments described above, in particular when the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the figures and explained in greater detail in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a gondola lift system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a gondola lift system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the gondola lift system from FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of the gondola lift system from FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of the gondola lift system from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of the gondola lift system from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, or FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of the gondola lift system from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, or FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of the gondola lift system from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of the gondola lift system from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, or FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a gondola lift system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic illustration of a control unit according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of advantageous exemplary embodiments of the present invention, identical or similar reference numerals are used for the elements having a similar action which are illustrated in the various figures, and a repeated description of these elements is dispensed with.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a gondola lift system 100 according to one exemplary embodiment. Gondola lift system 100 includes at least one gondola 110, and support means (i.e., arrangement) 140 for carrying the at least one gondola 110. According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, support means 140 are designed as rails for suspending and/or carrying the at least one gondola 110. In the illustration in FIG. 1, only one gondola 110 is shown as an example.

Gondola 110 includes a cabin 115. Cabin 115 may be a closed cabin or an open cabin, for example also a tub or a trough. Cabin 115 may be designed for transporting persons, animals, and/or goods. In addition, gondola 110 includes a running gear 120. Running gear 120 is provided for use with support means 140 of gondola lift system 100. In other words, running gear 120 of gondola 110 is used for traveling on support means 140.

Running gear 120 includes a running gear frame 122 or a chassis, a support arm 124, at least one running wheel 126, a guide unit 128 that includes a guide element 130 and an actuator element 132, a cantilever 134, and at least one control element 136. Four running wheels 126 are shown in the illustration in FIG. 1. According to one exemplary embodiment, support arm 124 may also be designed as part of cabin 115. Running gear frame 122 is coupled to cabin 115 via support arm 124. Running gear 120 is thus coupled to cabin 115 via support arm 124. Running wheels 126 and cantilever 134 are supported on running gear frame 122. Guide element 130 and actuator element 132 are supported on cantilever 134.

Support means 140 are designed to be used with running gear 120 of the at least one gondola 110. In other words, support means 140 may be traveled on by running gear 120. Support means 140 include a running device 142 and two guide devices 144 as well as two actuator devices 146. Due to the illustration, only one guide device 144 and one actuator device 146 are shown in FIG. 1. Running device 142 may be traveled on by the at least one running wheel 126 of running gear 120. In other words, running device 142 represents a travel path for running gear 120. The illustration in FIG. 1 shows a movable or deflectable subsection of running device 142. One possible movement or deflection of the subsection of running device 142 shown here is symbolically depicted by a bidirectional arrow. Each of actuator devices 146 is rigidly coupled to running device 142 for deflecting running device 142. Guide devices 144 and actuator devices 146 are formed for the form fit with guide unit 128 of running gear 120. More precisely, each guide device 144 is formed as a guide rail, and each actuator device 146 is formed as an actuator rail.

Running wheels 126 of running gear 120 are rotatably supported on running gear frame 122 or the chassis. In addition, each of running wheels 126 is formed or designed to travel on running device 142 of support means 140. Guide unit 128 is coupled to running gear frame 122 via swivelable cantilever 134. Guide unit 128 includes guide element 130 and actuator element 132. Guide element 130 is formed for the form fit with selectively one of guide devices 144 of support means 140. Actuator element 132 is formed for the form fit with selectively one of actuator devices 146 of support means 140.

According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, guide unit 128 includes at least one pair of rollers or is formed as at least one pair of rollers. The pair of rollers of guide unit 128 includes a guide roller as a guide element 130, and includes an actuator roller as an actuator element 132. The guide roller or guide element 130 and the actuator roller or actuator element 132 have a shared rotational axis. In addition, guide element 130 and actuator element 132 are stationarily situated relative to one another at cantilever 134. Even though it cannot be explicitly shown in FIG. 1, cantilever 134 together with guide unit 128 is situated preceding the at least one running wheel 126 in the travel direction of running gear 120. In other words, guide unit 128 in the travel direction of gondola 110 reaches a branch point of support means 140 prior to running wheels 126.

Running gear 120 also includes at least one control element 136 for swiveling cantilever 134 together with guide unit 128. For selecting the travel path of gondola 110 at a branch point of support means 140, the form fit of the cantilever together with the guide unit with one of guide devices 144 and one of actuator devices 146 is selectively establishable by swiveling cantilever 134 together with guide unit 128. At a branch point of support means 140, in each case a pair made up of one of guide devices 144 and one of actuator devices 146 is associated with one of two travel paths for the at least one gondola 110. At the branch point, running device 142 is selectively deflectable by the particular one of actuator devices 146 that is in form fit connection with guide unit 128, more precisely, with actuator element 132.

Each gondola 110 of gondola lift system 100 also includes a drive unit for driving the at least one running wheel 126 and/or guide unit 128. The drive unit is, for example, part of running gear 120. Due to the illustration, the drive unit is not explicitly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows gondola lift system 100 in a partial sectional illustration transverse to a longitudinal axis of support means 140 in the area of the movable travel path portion. The longitudinal axis represents a movement axis of the at least one gondola 110 along support means 140. In the illustration in FIG. 1, there is a form fit between guide unit 128 and one of guide devices 144 and one of actuator devices 146, more precisely, between guide element 130 and one of guide devices 144 as well as between actuator element 132 and one of actuator devices 146.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a gondola lift system 100 according to one exemplary embodiment. Gondola lift system 100 corresponds to or is similar to the gondola lift system from FIG. 1. Of the gondola lift system 100, the illustration in FIG. 2 shows running gear 120, cantilever 134 and guide unit 128 of a gondola, and running device 142, guide devices 144, and actuator devices 146 of the support means. A deflectable subsection 242 of running device 142 and threading sections 248 of the support means are also illustrated. FIG. 2 shows a top view onto a branch point or switch of the support means in a travel situation from the end of the switch from the straight direction or direction of passage. A travel direction of the gondola is symbolically depicted by an arrow at running gear 120.

In the area of the branch point, running device 142 includes a separate deflectable subsection 242 that is coupled to both actuator devices 146. In other words, in the area of the branch point, running device 142 is designed to be deflectable in the area of the branch point via one of respective actuator devices 146. Subsection 242 is selectively deflectable by the particular one of actuator devices 146 that is in form fit connection with guide unit 128 of running gear 120.

Running device 142, including subsection 242, is situated in the area of the branch point between two pairs that are each made up of a guide device 144 and an actuator device 146. Each pair made up of a guide device 144 and an actuator device 146 in each case includes, for each travel direction of the gondolas, a threading section 248 or an insertion geometry for threading guide unit 128 of running gear 120 into guide device 144 and actuator device 146 of the pair.

In the illustration in FIG. 2, there is a form fit between guide unit 128 and the pair made up of a guide device 144 and an actuator device 146, shown in the left portion of the illustration.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of gondola lift system 100 from FIG. 2. The illustration in FIG. 3 corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 2, except that a top view onto the branch point or switch of the support means is shown in a travel situation from the end of the switch from the branching direction, a form fit being present between guide unit 128 and the pair made up of a guide device 144 and an actuator device 146, shown in the right portion of the illustration, and also that an area 350 including a constantly deflected switch for traveling on the running gear is illustrated.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of gondola lift system 100 from FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The illustration in FIG. 4 corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 2, except that a travel situation from the start of the switch is shown.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of gondola lift system 100 from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4. The illustration in FIG. 5 corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 3, except that a travel situation from the start of the switch is shown.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of gondola lift system 100 from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, or FIG. 5. The illustration in FIG. 6 represents a travel situation which is chronologically prior to that in the illustration in FIG. 4, during travel of the gondola from the start of the switch. Only an entry side of the branch point of the support means is shown. Cantilever 134 together with guide unit 128 is swiveled in the direction of threading section 248, shown in the left portion of the illustration, for straight-ahead travel.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of gondola lift system 100 from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, or FIG. 6. The illustration in FIG. 7 represents a travel situation which is chronologically prior to that in the illustration in FIG. 5, during travel of the gondola from the start of the switch. The illustration in FIG. 7 corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 6, except that cantilever 134 together with guide unit 128 is swiveled in the direction of threading section 248, shown in the right portion of the illustration, for travel in the branching direction.

FIGS. 6 and 7 thus illustrate a selection of the travel direction on the gondola side, using the example of travel from the start of the switch. In FIG. 6, cantilever 134 swiveled to the left results in threading into the insertion geometry or threading section 248 for straight-line travel. In FIG. 7, cantilever 134 swiveled to the right results in threading into the insertion geometry or threading section 248 for travel in the branching direction.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of gondola lift system 100 from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or FIG. 7. The illustration in FIG. 8 corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 3, except that an error at a moment of jamming between guide unit 128 and the pair made up of guide device 144 and actuator device 146 shown on the right, and emergency braking of the gondola thus implemented are shown. In other words, FIG. 8 shows an illustration of an error at the moment of traveling on a switch that is blocked in the deflected or partially deflected position, from the end of the switch coming from the branching direction.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of gondola lift system 100 from FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, or FIG. 8. The illustration in FIG. 9 corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 2, except that an error at a moment of jamming between guide unit 128 and the insertion geometry or threading section 248 for the pair made up of guide device 144 and actuator device 146 shown on the left, and emergency braking of the gondola thus implemented are shown. In other words, FIG. 9 shows an illustration of an error at the moment of traveling on a switch that is blocked in the deflected or partially deflected position, from the end of the switch coming from the straight direction.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a gondola lift system 100 according to one exemplary embodiment. Gondola lift system 100 corresponds to or is similar to the gondola lift system from one of the figures described above. FIG. 10 illustrates a plurality of gondolas 110, and pylons 1048 for holding support means 140. Shown is the principle of a sensor system and a wireless data exchange between autonomously operating gondolas 110 with their own cabin sensors 1000, which are designed, for example, to communicate wirelessly with a cell tower 1002 or with communication devices 1004 mounted on pylons 1048. For example, cabin sensors 1000 each transfer a sensor signal 1005 that represents the surroundings of particular gondola 110 to cell tower 1002 or to other gondolas 110. In addition, the position of gondolas 110 is determined, for example, by satellite using a corresponding satellite navigation signal 1006.

Communication devices 1004 are coupled, for example, to a server device 1008 in the form of a cloud-based center for cabin routing, and to a user interface for communication with a mobile terminal 1011. Server device 1008 is designed, for example, to generate a control signal 1014, using user data 1012 that are received via the user interface, and to transfer it to a control unit 1016 of gondolas 110 in question via communication devices 1004, control unit 1016 using control signal 1014 to activate the at least one control element of the running gear of gondola 110 in question. Additionally or alternatively, control unit 1016 uses satellite navigation signal 1006 and/or sensor signal 1005 to activate the at least one control element of the running gear of gondola 110. In addition, control unit 1016 uses at least one of the signals mentioned above for activating the drive unit of gondola 110 in question.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a centralized traffic control which may transfer switchover commands to a gondola 110 may be dispensed with. It may be provided to assign a destination and possibly general waypoints to gondola 110. In particular, a sequence of switchover operations is ascertained therefrom on the gondola side, based on an instantaneous position and a structure of a travel path network stored in control unit 1016. A switchover is triggered, for example, upon approaching a switch or branch point, either based on satellite navigation signal 1006 or a further sensor signal of a signal generator, for example magnetically, at the travel path which marks and optionally also uniquely identifies an upcoming switch.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic illustration of a control unit 1016 according to one exemplary embodiment. Control unit 1016 is the control unit described with reference to FIG. 10 or a similar control unit. Control unit 1016 for activating a running gear of a gondola includes a read-in device 1110 for reading in sensor signal 1005, satellite navigation signal 1006, and/or control signal 1014. A generation device 1120 of control unit 1016 is designed to receive a signal 1112 that is output by read-in device 1110, using at least one of the three signals 1005, 1006, 1014, and use it to generate an activation signal 1122 for activating the at least one control element of the running gear of the gondola.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method 1200 according to one exemplary embodiment. Method 1200 may be carried out to activate the running gear from one of the figures described above or a similar running gear. Method 1200 may be carried out by a control unit as described above with reference to FIG. 11 or a similar control unit. In addition, method 1200 may be carried out in conjunction with a gondola lift system such as the gondola lift system from one of the figures described above or a similar gondola lift system. The satellite navigation signal, the sensor signal, or the control signal or at least two of the stated signals is/are read in in a step 1210 of reading in. The activation signal for activating the at least one control element of the running gear of the gondola is subsequently generated in a step 1220, using at least one of the three signals.

Exemplary embodiments are summarily explained once more and recapitulated below.

The present patent application describes the option to implement branchings and intersections for rail- or cable-based mobility concepts, i.e., a gondola lift system 100. Exemplary embodiments are explained below based on a gondola lift, cable car, or aerial tram car that travels at least partially on rails. A branching is achieved in which the direction-changing or direction-determining modules are situated in traveling gondola 120 or in the suspension of the gondola, more precisely, in running gear 120.

The basic principle is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The switch or branch point of support means 140 includes a conventional arrangement with a flexible portion of the route in subsection 242, which may be deflected in the branching direction, for example, thus opening the straight travel path in the rest position and closing a deflective travel path. As an example, this travel path is illustrated as a profile that is open at the bottom, in which running gear 120 engages via support rollers and guide rollers in the form of running wheels 126 and guide unit 128. The switch is also combinable with other arbitrary path configurations. For the passive switch illustrated here, a key aspect is the use of a roller system or guide unit 128 that is fastened to preceding cantilever 134, and which in interaction with auxiliary rails (guide devices 144, and actuator devices 146) actuates the reconfiguration of the switch via the forward movement of gondola 110 while traversing.

The auxiliary rails, i.e., guide devices 144 and actuator devices 146, are each situated in a similar pairwise arrangement on both sides of the travel path defined by running device 142. The two pairwise arrangements, viewed from the start of the switch, in each case correspond to a travel direction. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a running gear 120 during travel onto the start of the switch, with two different travel direction settings. If the switch in the straight direction is to be followed, the at least one control element 136 steers cantilever 134 protruding from running gear 120 to the left in the travel direction, as the result of which the guide roller system or guide unit 128 threads, via the insertion geometry or threading section 248, into the left guide rail arrangement made up of guide device 144 and actuator device 146. As illustrated in FIG. 1, guide unit 128 together with guide element 130 and actuator element 132 includes two rollers situated one on top of the other which simultaneously run in a groove, open at the bottom, in the guide rail situated above (guide device 144), and in a groove, open at the top, in the actuator rail situated below (actuator device 146). Since both rollers are fixedly mounted on a shared axis, both grooves, and thus guide device 144 and actuator device 146 or the guide rail and the actuator rail, are forced into the same position at the point of the guide roller engagement or the engagement of guide unit 128.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the further course of the two scenarios from FIGS. 6 and 7. In the straight travel direction depicted in FIG. 4, guide device 144 and actuator device 146 are already in flush alignment in the basic position of the switch. Therefore, no movement of the switch occurs; the primary objective is to block the switch in the basic position. In the deflective travel direction depicted in FIG. 5, guide device 144 and actuator device 146 run in different tracks. Upon engagement of guide unit 128, this results in articulatedly supported actuator device 146, which is connected to subsection 242 or to the flexible portion of the travel path, being shifted to the right.

Due to a special design, essentially three zones result from the interplay between guide device 144 and actuator device 146: Upon entry over an articulation point, a tangential and thus jolt-free and wear-free running of running wheels 126 is achieved. In a middle area, guide device 144 and actuator device 146 are in flush alignment along a defined section. This section is selected in such a way that it corresponds to the complete deflection of the travel path in the deflective position. The design is such that guide unit 128 is situated in this area as long as running gear 120 is traveling across the joint in the travel path. Upon exit over the joint of swiveling-out actuator device 146, once again a tangential transition is achieved. The positioning of guide device 144 and actuator device 146 is to be at a lateral distance from the travel path or running device 142, so that a blockage of the travel path may be prevented in any position. In the vertical direction, guide device 144 and actuator device 146 are situated in a different plane than the travel path or running device 142, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 1 as an example, so that a collision with the rigid portions of the travel path, such as for the left pair made up of guide device 144 and actuator device 146 in FIG. 3, may be prevented.

Exemplary embodiments also include safeguards against a malfunction. In contrast to conventional switches, a situation may be avoided in which a travel path during the reconfiguration process temporarily leads to nowhere, or traveling on an incorrectly set switch from the direction of the branching could result in problems. For a design of branch points of support means 140 as passive switches, malfunctions basically result in jamming or some other type of blocking of guide unit 128, and thus, essentially in emergency braking of gondola 110 on the travel path, before a hazardous situation may occur. In this regard, two examples are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Expanded insertion geometries or threading sections 248 are also used, which also force an incorrectly deflected cantilever into the guide rail system made up of guide device 144 and actuator device 146. As a result, it is never possible for a gondola 110 to enter into a switch without closing of the travel path, which is effectuated by a simultaneous engagement with guide device 144 and actuator device 146. In FIG. 2, for example, threading takes place regardless of a swivel position of cantilever 134. An additional function of cantilever 134 may be an integrated damper element or crash element, which in the event of a full blockage of guide unit 128 may attenuate emergency braking which then takes place.

If an exemplary embodiment includes an “and/or” linkage between a first feature and a second feature, this may be construed in such a way that according to one specific embodiment, the exemplary embodiment has the first feature as well as the second feature, and according to another specific embodiment, the exemplary embodiment either has only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A running gear for a gondola of a gondola lift system, the running gear being provided for use with a support arrangement of the gondola lift system, the running gear comprising: a running gear frame that is coupled or coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm;at least one running wheel, rotatably mounted or mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of the support arrangement;a guide unit that is coupled or coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever, the guide unit including a guide element for a form fit with one of two guide devices of the support arrangement, and an actuator element for a form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support arrangement that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device; andat least one control element configured to swivel the cantilever together with the guide unit in order to selectively establish, at a branch point of the support arrangement, the form fit with one of the guide devices and with one of the actuator devices to select the travel path of the gondola.

17. The running gear as recited in claim 16, wherein the guide unit includes at least one pair of rollers, the pair of rollers including a guide roller as a guide element, and an actuator roller as an actuator element, the guide roller and the actuator roller having a shared rotational axis.

18. The running gear as recited in claim 16, wherein the guide element and the actuator element are stationarily situated relative to one another at the cantilever, and/or the cantilever together with the guide unit is situated preceding the at least one running wheel in a travel direction of the running gear.

19. The running gear as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a drive unit configured to drive the at least one running wheel and/or the guide unit.

20. A support arrangement for gondolas of a gondola lift system, the support arrangement being provided for use with running gear for the gondola, the running gear including a running gear frame that is coupled or coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm, at least one running wheel, rotatably mounted or mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of the support arrangement, a guide unit that is coupled or coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever, the guide unit including a guide element for a form fit with one of two guide devices of the support arrangement, and an actuator element for a form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support arrangement that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device, and at least one control element configured to swivel the cantilever together with the guide unit in order to selectively establish, at a branch point of the support arrangement, the form fit with one of the guide devices and with one of the actuator devices to select the travel path of the gondola, the support arrangement comprising: a running device that may be traveled on by the at least one running wheel of the running gear; andthe two guide devices and the two actuator devices for the form fit with the guide unit of the running gear, each of the actuator devices being rigidly coupled to the running device to deflect the running device.

21. The support arrangement as recited in claim 20, wherein the running device is situated between two pairs, each of the pairs made up of a guide device of the two guide devices and an actuator device of the two actuator device, in the area of at least one branch point of the support arrangement.

22. The support arrangement as recited in claim 21, wherein for each travel direction of the gondolas, each pair of the pairs includes a threading section configured to thread the guide unit of the running gear into the guide device and the actuator device of the pair.

23. The support arrangement as recited in claim 20, further comprising: at least one branch point, the running device, in an area of the at least one branch point, including a separate deflectable subsection that is coupled to the actuator devices.

24. The support arrangement as recited in claim 23, wherein the subsection is selectively deflectable by a particular one of the actuator devices that is in form fit connection with the guide unit of the running gear.

25. A gondola for a gondola lift system, the gondola comprising: a running gear including: a running gear frame that is coupled or coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm,at least one running wheel, rotatably mounted or mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of a support arrangement of the gondola lift system,a guide unit that is coupled or coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever, the guide unit including a guide element for a form fit with one of two guide devices of the support arrangement, and an actuator element for a form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support arrangement that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device, andat least one control element configured to swivel the cantilever together with the guide unit in order to selectively establish, at a branch point of the support arrangement, the form fit with one of the guide devices and with one of the actuator devices to select the travel path of the gondola; andthe cabin, the running gear being coupled to the cabin via the support arm.

26. A gondola lift system, comprising: at least one gondola including: a running gear including: a running gear frame that is coupled or coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm,at least one running wheel, rotatably mounted or mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of a support arrangement of the gondola lift system,a guide unit that is coupled or coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever, the guide unit including a guide element for a form fit with one of two guide devices of the support arrangement, and an actuator element for a form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support arrangement that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device, andat least one control element configured to swivel the cantilever together with the guide unit in order to selectively establish, at a branch point of the support arrangement, the form fit with one of the guide devices and with one of the actuator devices to select the travel path of the gondola; andthe cabin, the running gear being coupled to the cabin via the support arm; andthe support arrangement configured to carry the at least one gondola, the support arrangement including: a running device that may be traveled on by the at least one running wheel of the running gear, andthe two guide devices and the two actuator devices for the form fit with the guide unit of the running gear, each of the actuator devices being rigidly coupled to the running device to deflect the running device.

27. A method for activating a running gear for a gondola of a gondola lift system, the running gear being provided for use with a support arrangement of the gondola lift system, the running gear including: a running gear frame that is coupled or coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm; at least one running wheel, rotatably mounted or mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of the support arrangement; a guide unit that is coupled or coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever, the guide unit including a guide element for a form fit with one of two guide devices of the support arrangement, and an actuator element for a form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support arrangement that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device; and at least one control element configured to swivel the cantilever together with the guide unit in order to selectively establish, at a branch point of the support arrangement, the form fit with one of the guide devices and with one of the actuator devices to select the travel path of the gondola, the method comprising the following steps: reading in: (i) a satellite navigation signal, and/or (ii) a sensor signal that is generated using at least one surroundings sensor situated at the gondola and/or at the support arrangement, and/or (iii) a control signal that is generated using a central server device and/or a mobile terminal; andgenerating an activation signal for activating the at least one control element, using the satellite navigation signal and/or the sensor signal and/or the control signal.

28. A control unit that is configured for activating a running gear for a gondola of a gondola lift system, the running gear being provided for use with a support arrangement of the gondola lift system, the running gear including: a running gear frame that is coupled or coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm; at least one running wheel, rotatably mounted or mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of the support arrangement; a guide unit that is coupled or coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever, the guide unit including a guide element for a form fit with one of two guide devices of the support arrangement, and an actuator element for a form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support arrangement that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device; and at least one control element configured to swivel the cantilever together with the guide unit in order to selectively establish, at a branch point of the support arrangement, the form fit with one of the guide devices and with one of the actuator devices to select the travel path of the gondola, the control unit configured to: read in: (i) a satellite navigation signal, and/or (ii) a sensor signal that is generated using at least one surroundings sensor situated at the gondola and/or at the support arrangement, and/or (iii) a control signal that is generated using a central server device and/or a mobile terminal; andgenerate an activation signal for activating the at least one control element, using the satellite navigation signal and/or the sensor signal and/or the control signal.

29. A non-transitory machine-readable memory medium on which is stored a computer program for activating a running gear for a gondola of a gondola lift system, the running gear being provided for use with a support arrangement of the gondola lift system, the running gear including: a running gear frame that is coupled or coupleable to a cabin of the gondola via a support arm; at least one running wheel, rotatably mounted or mountable on the running gear frame, for traveling on a running device of the support arrangement; a guide unit that is coupled or coupleable to the running gear frame via a swivelable cantilever, the guide unit including a guide element for a form fit with one of two guide devices of the support arrangement, and an actuator element for a form fit with one of two actuator devices of the support arrangement that are rigidly coupled to the running device for deflection of the running device; and at least one control element configured to swivel the cantilever together with the guide unit in order to selectively establish, at a branch point of the support arrangement, the form fit with one of the guide devices and with one of the actuator devices to select the travel path of the gondola, the computer program, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform the following steps: reading in: (i) a satellite navigation signal, and/or (ii) a sensor signal that is generated using at least one surroundings sensor situated at the gondola and/or at the support arrangement, and/or (iii) a control signal that is generated using a central server device and/or a mobile terminal; andgenerating an activation signal for activating the at least one control element, using the satellite navigation signal and/or the sensor signal and/or the control signal.