Ropeway with limiting device

Abstract

In order to improve safety as simply as possible when the ropeway vehicle (3) enters the ropeway station (2a, 2b) of the ropeway (1), it is provided according to the invention that the ropeway vehicle (3) contacts and displaces the movable detection element (5) of the limiting device (4) of the ropeway station (2a, 2b) in such a way that a measurement variable (M) of the displacement (α, X) of the detection element (5) is detected, the detected measurement variable (M) being used by the control unit (12) to control the ropeway (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention designs a cableway having multiple cableway stations and multiple cableway vehicles, the cableway vehicles being able to move between the cableway stations by means of transport cables. A control unit for controlling the cableway is provided, and a limiting device is provided in the entry area of ​​at least one cableway station to limit the lateral swaying of the cableway vehicles entering the station. This invention also relates to a method for operating a cableway having multiple cableway stations and multiple cableway vehicles, the cableway vehicles being able to move between the cableway stations by means of transport cables, wherein the cableway is controlled by a control unit, and wherein the cableway vehicles move with lateral swaying into the entry area E of a cableway station, the entry area of ​​which a limiting device is provided to limit the lateral swaying. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that cable car vehicles are induced to sway under adverse wind conditions. Depending on wind direction, wind intensity, and temporal variations, this can result in swaying along the direction of travel and lateral swaying. While swaying along the direction of travel can usually be reduced through operational measures, such as adjusting the transport speed, influencing lateral swaying is not easy. Although lateral swaying in open sections is uncomfortable for passengers, the risk of damage or injury is relatively low. However, in particular, if lateral swaying exceeds a certain deviation, it can pose a significant hazard within the cable car station's entry area. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to collisions between the cable car vehicle and components of the cable car station, or even cause the transport cable to jump off the cable guide. To avoid damage to the cable car and the risk of passenger injury, the cable car typically stops when lateral swaying exceeds a certain deviation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to improve the safety of cable car vehicles entering a cable car station in the simplest possible way. This objective is achieved by the aforementioned cable car in the following manner: the limiting device includes at least one movable detection element, a detection unit is provided for detecting a measurement parameter of the deflection (rotation) of the detection element, and the control unit is configured to control the cable car based on the detected measurement parameter. For example, the detection unit may have one of the following sensors to detect the measurement parameter: displacement sensor, position sensor, velocity sensor, acceleration sensor, rotation angle sensor, speed sensor, rotational acceleration sensor, solid-state acoustic sensor, force sensor, strain gauge, pressure sensor, or electrical switch. In this way, the value (parameter) representing the lateral sway of the entering cable car vehicle can be detected in a very simple way by the deflection of the detection element. The measurement parameter can be used to control one or more safety-related functions of the cable car.

[0004] Preferably, an analysis unit is provided, configured to determine characteristic parameters of the lateral sway of the incoming cableway vehicle from detected measurement parameters or parameters derived therefrom and at least one operating parameter of the cableway, and the control unit is configured to control the cableway based on the determined characteristic parameters. For example, the characteristic parameters may be at least one of the following: distance (displacement), position, speed, acceleration, angle, frequency, and / or the operating parameter is the transport speed. Thus, more complex analysis logic can be used than directly using the measurement parameters. For example, the deflection angle of the lateral sway of the cableway vehicle can be determined based on the measured position of the detection element and the transport speed of the cableway vehicle or the transport cable. For example, if the deflection angle exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit can take appropriate action, such as stopping the cableway.

[0005] Preferably, the movable detection element is configured to perform translational and / or rotational movements. This allows for greater flexibility in the structural design and arrangement of the cableway station. Rotary movable detection elements typically have a free end facing away from the cableway station along the direction of movement, while translational movable detection elements can, for example, be the central part of a restraining device and do not necessarily have a free end.

[0006] The limiting device preferably comprises two limiting elements arranged opposite each other, converging along the direction of movement, wherein at least one limiting element has at least one detection element. Depending on which part of the cableway vehicle the limiting device contacts during lateral swaying, the limiting elements may be spaced apart, for example, in the vertical direction (i.e., substantially vertical) or the lateral direction (i.e., substantially horizontal). It may be advantageous if both limiting elements have movable detection elements and sensing devices to detect swaying in both directions. For example, a portion of the limiting element may form the detection element, or the entire limiting element may form an integral detection element.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment, each of the plurality of cable car vehicles includes a transport body for accommodating a plurality of personnel, the transport body being connected to the lower part of a gantry, wherein the upper part of the gantry is connected to a gantry support, and a restraining device is arranged in at least one cable car station such that at least one detection element can be deflected by means of the outside of the car, or by means of the gantry, or by means of a contact element arranged on the bottom surface of the car, or by means of a component of the gantry support of the cable car during the lateral sway of the incoming cable car. Thus, the restraining device can be adapted very flexibly to contact desired components of the cable car.

[0008] Preferably, at least one cableway station is provided with a guide rail, and at the hanger support are a cable clamp, at least one guide roller, and a support roller. The cable clamp is used to connect the cableway vehicle to the transport cable, preferably in a releasable manner. The cableway vehicle can move along the guide rail in a state of disengagement from the transport cable by means of at least one guide roller. The limiting device is arranged in at least one cableway station such that the detection element can be deflected, preferably vertically, by the swinging movement of the support roller. Thus, the limiting device can be advantageously implemented in a relatively compact manner and can be arranged in the upper region of the cableway station.

[0009] Here, the limiting device can also have a guide profile that tapers (gradually) along the direction of movement, forming a detection element. This guide profile has two vertical, opposing legs connected by a central connecting portion, where the support rollers of the cable car, located within the area of ​​the limiting device, are received between these legs. This creates a simple structure with low installation costs. For example, a U-shaped profile (profile) can be used, arranged to be vertically movable. The U-shaped profile can be connected to a support rail located within the cable car station, where the support rollers are guided to stabilize the cable car during its movement within the station. When the cable car oscillates laterally, the support rollers oscillate substantially vertically, causing the entire guide profile to deflect (deflect) upon contact with one of the legs. Therefore, only one detection unit is required.

[0010] It is advantageous to include an elastic device configured to buffer the offset of the sensing element (by adding a spring to the offset of the sensing element), wherein the elastic device preferably includes at least one of the following springs: coil spring, torsion spring, torsion spring, leaf spring, gas spring, air spring, or rubber spring. Alternatively or additionally, a damping device may be provided, configured to dampen the offset (deflection) of the sensing element, wherein the damping device preferably has at least one of the following dampers: hydraulic damper, pneumatic damper, or friction damper. On the one hand, the elastic device can allow the sensing element to quickly return to its neutral position. On the other hand, the damping device can primarily suppress vehicle sway, similar to the case of a shock absorber.

[0011] Preferably, the cableway includes a drive unit for driving multiple cableway vehicles, and the control unit is configured to control the drive unit using detected measurement parameters or parameters derived therefrom, and / or determined characteristic parameters or parameters derived therefrom. For example, a first threshold can be set; if the detected measurement parameters and / or determined characteristic parameters and / or derived parameters exceed the first threshold, the control unit can stop the drive unit or reduce the transport speed of the cableway vehicles. Thus, if a measurement parameter, such as the position of a detection element, exceeds the first threshold, the cableway can be stopped. If an analysis unit is provided, the cableway can be stopped in a similar manner, for example, if a characteristic parameter, such as the deflection angle of the cableway vehicle around the transport cable, exceeds the first threshold. Alternatively or additionally, derived parameters of the measurement parameters or characteristic parameters, such as time derivatives, can also be used. Of course, multiple different first thresholds can be specified, and the control unit can first reduce the transport speed, for example, when a lower threshold is exceeded, and only stop the drive unit when a higher threshold is exceeded.

[0012] Preferably, an alarm device is provided in the cableway, and the control unit is configured to control the alarm unit using detected measurement parameters or parameters derived therefrom, and / or determined characteristic parameters or parameters derived therefrom, to generate an alarm signal, preferably an optical, acoustic, or electronic alarm signal. For example, a second threshold can be set, and the alarm unit can generate an alarm signal when the detected measurement parameters and / or determined characteristic parameters and / or derived parameters (values) exceed the second threshold. Thus, passengers and cableway personnel can be alerted, for example, by an alarm (siren), a rotating beacon (rotating light), or an electronic message sent to an emergency call center or the control room of another cableway station. Conversely, multiple different second thresholds can also be pre-defined, wherein, for example, a first alarm signal, an electronic message, is generated first when a lower second threshold is exceeded, while a second alarm signal, such as an alarm, is generated when a higher threshold is exceeded.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention solves this problem by means of the above method in the following way: the cable car vehicle contacts the movable detection element of the limiting device and causes it to deflect (rotate) so that the measurement parameter (measured value) of the deflection of the detection element is detected, and the control unit uses the detected measurement parameter (measured value) to control the cable car.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the above method are given in claims 14-20. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 3 To explain the invention in more detail, Figures 1 to 3 The advantageous design features of the invention are illustrated, illustrative, and non-limiting. The accompanying drawings show:

[0016] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the cableway according to the invention is shown in a view taken from above.

[0017] Figure 2 The view from above shows the cable car vehicles in the access area of ​​the cable car station.

[0018] Figure 3 The cable car vehicles are shown in the entry area of ​​the cable car station from the rear, viewed along the direction of movement. Detailed Implementation

[0019] exist Figure 1 An exemplary cableway 1 is shown. Cableway 1 has multiple cableway stations 2a, 2b and multiple cableway vehicles 3 in a known manner, which can move between the cableway stations 2a, 2b by means of a transport cable F. The cableway 1 shown is designed as a circulating cableway, wherein the transport cable F rotates in a circulating loop around cable sheaves 21 arranged in the cableway stations 2a, 2b in a known manner. Each cableway vehicle 3 has a cable clamp (in... Figure 1 (Not shown in the image), the cable car vehicle 3 can be releasably and forcefully connected to the transport cable F via cable clamps. The cableway 1 also has a drive unit 11 for driving the cable car vehicle 3. Here, the drive unit 11 is configured to drive at least one cable wheel 21 to apply a driving force to the transport cable F, thereby driving the cable car vehicle 3.

[0020] Within the entry area E of cableway stations 2a and 2b, cable car 3 can disengage from the transport cable F by manipulating the cable clamp, then brake and decelerate along guide rail 14 to enter exit area A. In exit area A, cable car 3 can accelerate back to the speed of the transport cable F and reconnect to the transport cable F by actuating (manipulating) the cable clamp again. To drive cable car 3 in the disengaged state, drive unit 11 can also have a suitable (not shown) auxiliary drive in a known manner. For example, the auxiliary drive may include a plurality of driven friction wheels arranged sequentially along guide rail 14, which cooperate with the friction pads of cable car 3 to drive cable car 3.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, a first cableway station 2a and a second cableway station 2b are shown, which are designed as terminal stations. Of course, one or more other cableway stations (not shown) may also be provided between terminal stations 2a and 2b. These other cableway stations are designed as intermediate stations and can be passed by cableway vehicles in one direction of travel without requiring cableway vehicle 3 to turn around.

[0022] Furthermore, a control unit 12 is provided in the cableway 1 for controlling the functions of the cableway 1. The control unit 12 has suitable hardware and / or software and is arranged within the first cableway station 2a in the illustrated example. Of course, this is only exemplary, and the control unit 12 can also be arranged at another suitable location on the cableway 1. Of course, the control unit 12 can also have multiple control units (not shown), which communicate with each other in a suitable manner if necessary. The control unit 12 is specifically configured to control the drive unit 11 in order to control the transport speed of the cableway vehicle 3. Of course, other functions of the cableway 1 can also be controlled by the control unit 12 if necessary, but these are not relevant to the present invention. The basic structure and function of the cableway 1 are known, and therefore will not be described in more detail here.

[0023] Limiting devices (stopping devices) 4 are respectively installed in the entry areas E of cableway stations 2a and 2b to limit the lateral swinging motion P of the cableway vehicles 3 entering the corresponding cableway stations 2a and 2b. Each limiting device 4 has a movable detection element 5 and a detection unit 6, which detects a measurement parameter M of the offset of the detection element 5. Depending on the configuration of the detection element 5, the offset can be, for example, a translational offset X or a rotational offset (deflection) α. The control unit 12 is configured to control the cableway 1 based on the detected measurement parameter M. This allows the control unit 12 to, for example, control the drive unit 11 to stop driving the cableway vehicle 3 or reduce its transport speed when the measurement parameter M reaches or exceeds a specified value (a predetermined value).

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an analysis unit 7 may also be provided, which is configured to determine a characteristic parameter K of the lateral sway P of the incoming cableway vehicle 3 from the detected measurement parameter (measured value) M or a parameter derived therefrom (e.g., time derivative) and at least one operating parameter of the cableway 1. In this case, the control unit 12 is preferably configured to control the cableway 1, and in particular the drive unit 11, according to the determined characteristic parameter K. The characteristic parameter K may be the frequency, distance (displacement), position, speed, acceleration, or angle of the lateral sway P of the incoming cableway vehicle 3. The operating parameter may be, for example, the current transport speed or a parameter representing the transport speed, such as an electrical parameter like current or voltage. Thus, a more complex analysis logic is possible compared to using the measurement parameter M.

[0025] Each cable car 3 has a transport body 3a for accommodating multiple people, which is connected to the lower part of the suspender 3b, and the upper part of the suspender 3b is connected to the suspender support 3c (see details). Figure 3Preferably, the suspender 3b is rotatably connected to the suspender support 3c via a joint to achieve oscillation (pendulum motion) in the direction of movement B, i.e., back-and-forth movement. Depending on the embodiment of the cableway 1, the construction of the transport body 3a can vary. For example, in a purely gondola-type cableway, all cableway vehicles 3 each have a gondola as the transport body 3a for accommodating passengers, such as... Figure 1 As exemplified in the example. However, cableway 1 can also be constructed as a chairlift, wherein all cableway vehicles 3 each have a chair as the transport body 3a for accommodating multiple people. A combination of gondola and chairlift, i.e., a so-called combined cableway, is also possible, wherein a certain number of cableway vehicles 3 with gondolas and a certain number of cableway vehicles with chairs are alternately arranged on the transport cable F. For example, one gondola is connected for every three chairs, and so on.

[0026] The limiting device 4 is preferably arranged in the cableway station 2a in such a way that at least one detection element 5 comes into contact with the outside of the transport body 3a, or with the gantry 3b, or with a contact element 15 arranged on the bottom surface of the transport body 3a, or with a component of the gantry support 3c during the lateral swing P of the incoming cableway vehicle 3. The contact element 15... Figure 1 The section is indicated only by dashed lines and may, for example, have suitable guide rails or guide pins extending downward from the transport body 3a. Depending on the desired type of contact, a suitable arrangement (suitable structure) of the restraining device 4 can be provided in the cableway station 2a. Reference will be made below. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0027] exist Figure 2 The diagram shows the time at which the following moments occur. Figure 1 The cable car 3 entering the first cable car station 2a is located within the area of ​​the limiting device 4. The cable car 3 oscillates laterally P in the direction of movement B, which may be caused, for example, by a strong wind. Here, each limiting device 4 has two limiting elements 4a and 4b arranged opposite each other in the direction of movement B, converging along the direction of movement B. In the illustrated embodiment, the two limiting elements 4a and 4b each have a detection element 5 and a detection unit 6. However, in principle, it is sufficient if only one of the limiting elements 4a and 4b has a movable detection element 5.

[0028] For example, the movable detection element 5 can be translated T, as shown by the limiting element 4a in the right figure. For this purpose, the detection element 5 can be formed from the front portion of the limiting element 4a with a free end, and can be translatably mounted in the cableway station 2a in a suitable manner. Alternatively, the detection element 5 can also be formed from the central portion of the limiting element 4a (not shown).

[0029] Here, when the cable car 3 swings laterally P around the transport cable F, which serves as the axis of rotation, with a sufficiently large amplitude, the detection element 5 can perform a translational movement T. The translational offset X of the detection element 5 can be recorded as a measurement parameter M, such as position or distance (displacement). The type of measurement parameter M depends on the type of detection unit 6 used. For example, the detection unit 6 can have one of the following sensors to detect the measurement parameter M: displacement sensor, position sensor, velocity sensor, acceleration sensor, solid-state acoustic sensor, force sensor, strain gauge, pressure sensor, or electrical switch. Of course, it is possible to use multiple sensors, and combinations of multiple sensors are also possible.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the detection element 5 may also be configured to perform a rotational motion R, as per [the provided text]. Figure 2 The limiting element 4b shown on the left is illustrated here. For this purpose, for example, the entire limiting element 4a can form a detection element 5, as exemplarily shown in the figure. Of course, only the front section of the limiting element 4a with its free end 5b facing away from the cableway station 2a can also form a detection element 5. Here, the limiting element 4a is arranged to be rotatably mounted in the cableway station 2a about a joint 8 having a substantially vertical axis of rotation 8a. Therefore, when the cableway vehicle 3 oscillates laterally P with a sufficiently large amplitude, the limiting element 4a can rotate about the axis of rotation 8a.

[0031] Here, the rotational offset α of the detection element 5 can be recorded as a measurement parameter M, such as position, distance (displacement), or angle. The type of measurement parameter M depends on the type of detection unit 6 used. For example, the detection unit 6 can have one of the following sensors to detect the measurement parameter M: displacement sensor, position sensor, velocity sensor, acceleration sensor, solid-state acoustic sensor, force sensor, strain gauge, pressure sensor, electrical switch, rotation angle sensor, speed sensor, or rotational acceleration sensor. Of course, it is possible to use multiple sensors, and combinations of multiple sensors are also possible.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, an analysis unit 7 is also provided, which is connected to the detection unit 6 via a suitable wireless or wired communication link, such as sensor wiring. The analysis unit 7 is configured to determine a characteristic parameter K of the lateral sway P of the incoming cable car vehicle 3 from at least one operating parameter of the cable car 1, corresponding to the detected measurement parameter M or a parameter derived therefrom. The analysis unit 7 is connected to the control unit 12 via a suitable wireless or wired communication link, such as electrical wiring, to transmit the characteristic parameter K to the control unit 12. Advantageously, the analysis unit 7 can also be integrated into the control unit 12, for example, as a suitable software program, such as... Figure 2 As shown by the dashed border, the control unit 12 is configured to control the cableway 1 according to the determined characteristic parameter K.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, the detection unit 6 may include, for example, a suitable position sensor for detecting the position of the detection element 5 (as measurement parameter M), while the transport speed of the cable car 3 is used as an operating parameter (which corresponds to the speed of the transport cable F in the connected state). The transport speed may be known, or a suitable sensor (not shown), such as an inductive sensor, may be provided for detecting the transport speed. This sensor may be positioned at a suitable location on the cableway 1 and communicate with the control unit 12. The analysis unit 7 can then determine the angle of lateral sway P of the cable car 3 about the transport cable F, which is the axis of rotation, based on the position (as measurement parameter M) and the transport speed (as operating parameter).

[0034] For example, control unit 12 can directly use the measurement parameter M detected by detection unit 6, such as the position of detection element 5, or parameters derived therefrom, such as path (displacement) or speed, to control drive unit 11. In this case, analysis unit 7 can be cancelled. However, control unit 12 can also use the characteristic parameter K determined by analysis unit 7, such as the offset (deflection) angle of swing P, or parameters derived from that characteristic parameter, such as angular velocity, to control drive unit 11. For example, a first threshold can be set or defined in control unit 12, and if the detected measurement parameter M and / or the determined characteristic parameter K and / or the corresponding derived parameter exceed the first threshold, control unit 12 can stop drive unit 11 or reduce the transport speed of cable car 3.

[0035] Preferably, the cableway 1 is further provided with an alarm device 13, and the control unit 12 is configured to use the detected measurement parameter M (or a parameter derived therefrom) and / or the determined characteristic parameter K (or a parameter derived therefrom) to control the alarm device 13 to generate an alarm signal 13a, preferably an optical, acoustic, or electronic alarm signal 13a. For example, a second threshold can be set or defined in the control unit 12, and if the detected measurement parameter M and / or the determined characteristic parameter K and / or the derived parameter exceeds the second threshold, an alarm signal 13a is generated.

[0036] In a simplified implementation without analysis unit 7, a second threshold below the first threshold can be specified, for example. In this case, an alarm signal 13a is generated first when the second (lower) threshold is exceeded, while the drive unit 11 is stopped (or its transport speed is reduced) only when the first (higher) threshold is exceeded. If analysis unit 7 is provided, this procedure can be performed on the determined characteristic parameter K in a similar manner, either as a substitute for the measurement parameter or, if necessary, as an addition to the measurement parameter.

[0037] Advantageously, an elastic device 9 may also be provided to buffer the deflection α, X of the corresponding sensing element 5. For example, the elastic device may be a coil spring, torsion spring, torque spring, leaf spring, air spring, gas spring, or rubber spring. Alternatively or additionally, a damping device 10 may be provided to dampen (suppress, reduce) the deflection α, X of the corresponding sensing element 5. The damping device 10 may, for example, be a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper, or a friction damper. As per [reference to...] Figure 2 As illustrated schematically, one or more combined elastic / damping devices may also be provided. The specific structural implementation of the elastic device 9 and the damping device 10 can be chosen by those skilled in the art and is substantially dependent on the specific construction and arrangement of the limiting device 4, and in particular the sensing element 5. For example... Figure 2 As shown on the right, the detection unit 6 does not necessarily have to directly detect the measurement parameter M at the detection element 5. Instead, the measurement parameter M can also be measured at a component connected to the detection element 5, such as the damping device 10.

[0038] Reference Figure 3 Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention will now be explained. Figure 3The diagram shows a cable car 3, with its cabin serving as the transport body 3a, viewed from the rear in the entry area E of cable car station 2a along the direction of movement B. The transport body 3a is connected to a hanger support 3c via a suspender 3b. As previously described, the suspender 3b is preferably connected to the hanger support 3c about a rotation axis that extends substantially horizontally and transversely to the direction of movement B, allowing for oscillation (back and forth) in the direction of movement. A cable clamp 16, along with at least one guide roller 17 and a support roller 18, are mounted on the hanger support 3c. The guide rollers allow the cable car 3 to move along the guide rail 14 within cable car station 2 while detached from the transport cable F. Alternatively, multiple guide rollers 17 can be rotatably mounted sequentially on the hanger support 3c along the direction of movement.

[0039] The function of the support roller 18 is to stabilize the cable car 3 during movement along the guide rail 14, so as to prevent or at least reduce lateral swaying as much as possible during movement within the cable car station 2. In a known manner, a support guide rail 20 can be provided for this purpose, extending substantially parallel to the guide rail 14. During the movement of the cable car 3, the support roller 18 is guided along the support guide rail 20. A limiting device 4 is arranged here in the upper region of the cable car station 2a so that during the lateral sway P of the cable car 3, the detection element 5 can be deflected in a substantially vertical direction by the sway P' of the support roller 18.

[0040] exist Figure 3 Section AA is shown in the diagram, which, in a side view along the direction of the arrow, shows the limiting device 4 and the support rail 20. Here, the limiting device 4 has a guide profile (guide contour) 19 that tapers (contracts) along the direction of movement B, and has two opposing legs 19a and 19b in the vertical direction. The support rail 20 is adjacent to (connected to) the guide profile 19 along the direction of movement B, and also has two opposing legs 20a and 20b. Therefore, the support roller 18 of the cable car 3 entering the cable car station 2 is initially received between the legs 19a and 19b of the guide profile 19 within the area of ​​the limiting device 4. During further movement, the support roller 18 is received between the legs 20a and 20b within the area of ​​the support rail 20.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide profile 19 is designed as a rigid U-shaped profile. Therefore, the legs 19a and 19b are connected in a known manner via the connecting section 19c. This means that during the vertical swing P' of the support roller 18, the legs 19a and 19b can only be deflected (rotated) together by the support roller 18. Thus, the common guide profile 19 serves as a movable sensing element 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide profile 19 is configured to perform a vertical translational movement T, as symbolized by the double arrows. This is advantageous because it allows the support rail 20 to be substantially directly adjacent to (connected to) the guide profile 19. Of course, rotational movement of the guide profile 19 about a generally horizontal axis of rotation (not shown), preferably located within the region of the tapering section of the guide profile 19 and substantially orthogonal to the plane of the cross-sectional view, is also conceivable.

[0042] In addition, a detection unit 6 is provided for measuring the offset of the guide profile 19, and an analysis unit 7, which communicates with the detection unit, is used to determine the characteristic parameter K of the lateral sway P of the cableway vehicle 3. The analysis unit 7 is connected to the control unit 12, which controls the drive device 11 of the cableway 1. Since the entire guide rail 19 is always offset (deflected), basically only one detection unit 6 is needed. Of course, two or more detection units 6 can also be provided, for example, one detection unit 6 for each deflection direction.

[0043] Of course, the implementation of a rigid U-shaped profile is merely exemplary; it is also possible to have two separate, independent limiting elements 4a and 4b, spaced apart in the vertical direction. In this case, it is similar to that according to Figure 2 In one embodiment, at least one limiting element 4a, 4b may have a detection element 5 (or both limiting elements may have a detection element). Figure 2 The limiting elements 4a and 4b are spaced apart laterally to the direction of movement B, that is, substantially horizontally, and are configured to contact the transport body 3a. Figure 3 The limiting elements 4a and 4b are spaced apart in the height direction, that is, substantially vertically, and configured to contact the support roller 18. Furthermore, this embodiment is consistent with... Figure 2 The variations are basically the same, so more details are omitted here.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated gondola-type circulating cableway, but other circulating cableways are also included in the present invention, particularly the aforementioned chairlift or combined cableway. Furthermore, the present invention also includes a multi-cable circulating cableway, wherein the transport cable serves as the traction cable, and at least one support cable is also provided, on which the cableway vehicle rolls via a traveling mechanism. The present invention also includes (swinging) aerial cableways.

Claims

1. A ropeway (1) having a plurality of ropeway stations (2a, 2b) and a plurality of ropeway vehicles (3) which are movable between the ropeway stations (2) by means of a transport cable (F), wherein, A control unit (12) is provided for controlling the cableway (1), and wherein a limiting device (4) is provided in the entry area (E) of at least one cableway station (2a, 2b) for limiting the lateral sway (P) of the cableway vehicle (3) entering the cableway station (2), characterized in that the limiting device (4) includes at least one movable detection element (5), and a detection unit (6) is provided for detecting a measurement parameter (M) of the offset (α, X) of the detection element (5), and the control unit (12) is configured to control the cableway (1) according to the detected measurement parameter (M).

2. The cableway (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An analysis unit (7) is provided, which is configured to determine the characteristic parameter (K) of the lateral sway (P) of the entering cable car vehicle (3) from the detected measurement parameter (M) or the parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and from at least one operating parameter of the cableway (1), and the control unit (12) is configured to control the cableway (1) according to the determined characteristic parameter (K).

3. The cableway (1) as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The characteristic parameter (K) is at least one of the following parameters: distance, position, speed, acceleration, angle, frequency, and / or the operating parameter is the transport speed.

4. The cableway (1) as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The movable detection element (5) is configured to perform translational motion (T) and / or rotational motion (R).

5. The cableway (1) as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The limiting device (4) has two limiting elements (4a, 4b) arranged opposite to each other, the limiting elements converging along the direction of motion (B), and at least one of the limiting elements (4a, 4b) has at least one detection element (5).

6. The cableway (1) as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of cable car vehicles (3) includes a transport body (3a) for accommodating multiple persons, the transport body being connected to the lower part of a gantry (3b), wherein the upper part of the gantry (3b) is connected to a gantry support (3c), and the limiting device (4) is arranged in at least one cable car station (2a, 2b) in such a manner as described above: at least one detection element (5) is deflected by the outside of the transport body (3a), or by the gantry (3b), or by a contact element (15) arranged on the bottom surface of the transport body (3a) during the lateral swing (P) of the incoming cable car vehicle (3).

7. The cableway (1) as described in claim 6, characterized in that, A guide rail (14) is provided in at least one cableway station (2a, 2b), and a cable clamp (16), at least one guide roller (17), and a support roller (18) are provided at the hanger support (3c). The cable clamp is used to connect the cableway vehicle (3) to the transport cable (F). With the aid of the guide roller, the cableway vehicle (3) can move along the guide rail (14) in a state of being detached from the transport cable (F), and the limiting device (4) is arranged in the at least one cableway station (2a, 2b). The detection element (5) can be deflected by the swing (P') of the support roller (18).

8. The cableway (1) as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The cable clamp is used to releasably connect the cable car vehicle (3) to the transport cable (F).

9. The cableway (1) as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The detection element (5) can be deflected in the vertical direction by the swing (P') of the support roller (18).

10. The cableway (1) as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The limiting device (4) has a guide profile (19) that tapers along the direction of movement (B), the guide profile forming the detection element (5), wherein the guide profile (19) has two vertical, opposing legs (19a, 19b) connected by a connecting section (19c), and the support roller (18) of the cable car (3) located in the area of ​​the limiting device (4) is received between the legs (19a, 19b).

11. The cableway (1) as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, An elastic device (9) is provided, which is configured to buffer the offset (α, X) of the detection element (5) and / or a damping device (10) is provided, which is configured to dampen the offset (α, X) of the detection element (5).

12. The cableway (1) as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The elastic device (9) has at least one of the following springs: helical spring, torsion spring, torque spring, leaf spring, gas spring, and rubber spring.

13. The cableway (1) as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The elastic device (9) has at least one of the following springs: helical spring, torsion spring, torque spring, leaf spring, air spring, and rubber spring.

14. The cableway (1) as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The damping device (10) has at least one of the following dampers: hydraulic damper, pneumatic damper, friction damper.

15. The cableway (1) as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The cableway (1) is provided with a drive unit (11) for driving multiple cableway vehicles (3), and the control unit (12) is configured to control the drive unit (11) using a detected measurement parameter (M) or a parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or a determined characteristic parameter (K) or a parameter derived from the determined characteristic parameter (K).

16. The cableway (1) as described in claim 15, characterized in that, A first threshold is set, and if the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or the parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or the determined feature parameter (K) and / or the parameter derived from the determined feature parameter (K) exceed the first threshold, the control unit (12) is configured to stop the drive device (11) or reduce the transport speed of the cable car vehicle (3).

17. The cableway (1) as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, An alarm device (13) is provided in the cableway (1), and the control unit (12) is configured to control the alarm device (13) using the detected measurement parameter (M) or a parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or the determined characteristic parameter (K) or a parameter derived from or from the determined characteristic parameter (K) to generate an alarm signal (13a).

18. The cableway (1) as described in claim 17, wherein the alarm signal (13a) is an optical, acoustic or electronic alarm signal.

19. The cableway (1) as described in claim 17, characterized in that, A second threshold is set, and the alarm device (13) is configured to generate the alarm signal (13a) when the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or the parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or the determined feature parameter (K) and / or the parameter derived from the determined feature parameter (K) exceeds the second threshold.

20. The cableway (1) as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The detection unit (6) has at least one of the following sensors for detecting the measurement parameter (M): displacement sensor, position sensor, velocity sensor, acceleration sensor, rotation angle sensor, rotation speed sensor, rotation acceleration sensor, solid-state acoustic sensor, force sensor, strain gauge, pressure sensor, and electrical switch.

21. A method for operating a cableway (1), said cableway having a plurality of cableway stations (2a, 2b) and a plurality of cableway vehicles (3), said cableway vehicles being movable between said cableway stations (2a, 2b) by means of transport cables (F), wherein, The cableway (1) is controlled by a control unit (12), wherein the cableway vehicle (3) moves with a lateral swing (P) into the entry area (E) of the cableway station (2a, 2b), where a limiting device (4) is provided to limit the lateral swing (P), characterized in that the cableway vehicle (3) contacts and deflects a movable detection element (5) of the limiting device (4) to detect a measurement parameter (M) of the deflection (α, X) of the detection element (5), and the control unit (12) uses the detected measurement parameter (M) to control the cableway (1).

22. The method as described in claim 21, characterized in that, The characteristic parameter (K) of the lateral sway (P) of the entering cable car vehicle (3) is determined from the detected measurement parameter (M) or the parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and at least one operating parameter of the cableway (1), and the control unit (12) uses the determined characteristic parameter (K) to control the cableway (1).

23. The method as described in claim 22, characterized in that, The characteristic parameter (K) is determined by at least one of the following parameters: distance, position, speed, acceleration, angle, frequency, and / or the transport speed is used as the operating parameter.

24. The method as described in claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The cable car (3) deflects the detection element (5) by means of the outside of the transport body (3a), or by means of the suspender (3b), or by means of the contact element (15) arranged on the bottom surface of the transport body (3a).

25. The method as described in claim 24, characterized in that, A cable clamp (16), a guide roller (17), and a support roller (18) are provided at the hanger bracket (3c). The cable clamp is used to releasably connect the cable car (3) to the transport cable (F). With the help of the guide roller, the cable car (3) can move along the guide rail (14) of the cable car station (2) in a state of being detached from the transport cable (F). The limiting device (4) has two limiting elements (4a, 4b) arranged opposite to each other, which converge in the direction of movement (B). At least one of the limiting elements (4a, 4b) has at least one detection element (5). The support roller (18) of the cable car (3) located in the area of ​​the limiting device (4) is received between the limiting elements (4a, 4b). The support roller (18) performs a vertical swing (P') due to the lateral swing (P) of the cable car (3). By the vertical swing, the at least one detection element (5) is deflected in the vertical direction.

26. The method as described in claim 25, characterized in that, The limiting device (4) has a guide profile (19) that tapers along the direction of movement (B), the guide profile forming the detection element (5), wherein the guide profile (19) has two vertical, opposing legs (19a, 19b) connected by a connecting section (19c), and the support roller (18) of the cable car (3) located in the area of ​​the limiting device (4) is received between the legs (19a, 19b), wherein the support roller (18) performs a vertical swing (P') due to the lateral swing (P) of the cable car (3), and the guide profile (19) is deflected in the vertical direction by the vertical swing.

27. The method as described in claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The control unit (12) uses the detected measurement parameter (M) or the parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or the determined feature parameter (K) or the parameter derived from the determined feature parameter (K) to control the transport speed of the cable car (3), wherein when the detected measurement parameter (M) or the parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or the determined feature parameter (K) or the parameter derived from the determined feature parameter (K) exceeds a set first threshold, the control unit (12) reduces the transport speed of the cable car (3).

28. The method as described in any one of claims 22 or 23, characterized in that, The control unit (12) uses the detected measurement parameter (M) or the parameter derived from the detected measurement parameter (M) and / or the determined characteristic parameter (K) or the parameter derived from the determined characteristic parameter (K) to control the alarm device (13) to generate an alarm signal (13a).

29. The method as described in claim 28, characterized in that, The alarm signal (13a) is an optical, acoustic, or electronic alarm signal.

30. The method as described in claim 28, characterized in that, The alarm signal (13a) is generated when the measured parameter (M) or the parameter derived from the measured parameter (M) and / or the determined characteristic parameter (K) or the parameter derived from the determined characteristic parameter (K) exceeds the set second threshold.

31. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that, The following parameters are measured as measurement parameters (M): distance, position, speed, acceleration, rotation angle, rotational speed, rotational acceleration, solid sound, force, voltage, strain, and terminal position.

32. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that, The detection pressure is used as a measurement parameter (M).

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