Parking system for a circulating cableway

Abstract

In order to propose an improved parking system which enables a parking process for cableway vehicles in a parking area at a cableway station to be carried out as simply and quickly as possible, in the parking system there is provided a transfer device for transferring cableway vehicles from an input track onto at least two parking tracks, the transfer device having a displacement device which is displaceable along a fixed guide device between a first transfer position and a second transfer position, the displacement device having a first track section and a second track section, in the first transfer position of the displacement device a cableway vehicle is displaceable from the first track section onto a first parking track and a cableway vehicle is displaceable from the input track onto the second track, and in the second transfer position of the displacement device a cableway vehicle is displaceable from the input track onto the first track section and a cableway vehicle is displaceable from the second track section onto a second parking track.

Description

Parking system for loop cableways Technical Field

[0001] A parking system for a cableway station parking area, used to perform parking operations on multiple cableway vehicles, wherein the parking system includes an input track (feeder), at least one first parking track, and at least one second parking track (parking line), and includes transfer equipment for transferring cableway vehicles from the input track to the parking track. Furthermore, the invention relates to an application of the parking system for performing parking procedures (operations), to a cableway with a parking system for performing parking procedures (operations), and to a method for performing parking procedures (operations) on multiple cableway vehicles in the parking area of ​​a cableway station. Background Technology

[0002] A loop cableway typically consists of multiple cableway stations, multiple cable cars, and transport cables for moving the cable cars between the stations. In modern loop cableways, the cable cars can detach from the transport cables in a known manner within each station and move through the station at a lower speed. Such loop cableways with detachable cable cars usually also have parking areas where the detached cable cars can be parked outside of operating hours. These parking areas are typically located within a cableway station, for example, on the same level (plane) as the operating area where the passenger boarding and / or alighting areas are located, or, if possible, in a garage below the operating area. To transfer the cable cars to their pre-defined parking positions in the parking area, a suitable parking system is usually provided, which may include one or more transport devices. For example, exemplary parking systems are found in EP 0 711 696 A1, AT 392766 B, AT 366328 B, CN 209942318 U, or US 3,200,766 A. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on existing technology, the objective of this invention is to provide an improved parking system that makes the parking process of cable car vehicles in the parking area of ​​a cable car station as simple and quick as possible.

[0004] According to the present invention, the problem is solved as follows: the transfer device has a displacement device that can be displaced between a first transfer position and a second transfer position along a guide device fixed at the position. The displacement device has a first track segment and a second track segment. At the first transfer position of the displacement device, a cable car can move from the first track segment to a first parking track (parking line, siding) and from the input track to the second track segment. At the second transfer position of the displacement device, a cable car can move from the input track (feeder) to the first track segment and from the second track segment to the second parking track. This significantly reduces the duration of the parking process because while a cable car is transferring to a parking track, a subsequent cable car can already move from the feeder track to a waiting position on the displacement device.

[0005] According to an advantageous design, the displacement device may have a displacement slide, at which a first track segment and a second track segment are arranged spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the displacement device, wherein the first track segment and the second track segment can be displaced together by means of the displacement slide. This achieves a simple structure and easy synchronous control of the movement of each track segment. Alternatively, the displacement device may also have at least one first displacement slide and (at least) one second displacement slide, wherein the first track segment is arranged at the first displacement slide and the second track segment is arranged at the second displacement slide, and wherein the first track segment and the second track segment can be displaced independently by means of the displacement slide. Therefore, more flexible control of the movement of each track segment is possible, thereby achieving different positions, velocities, and accelerations.

[0006] In an advantageous manner, each track segment of the parking track, input track, and displacement device has a first guide rail for guiding the guide rollers (guide rollers / guide wheels) of the cable car. Optionally, each track segment of the parking track, input track, and displacement device also has a second guide rail for guiding the support-guide rollers of the cable car. Thus, each cable car can move along the vehicle-guide rails in the operating area of ​​the cable car station in the same manner as in known methods. However, the second guide rail is not necessarily required to extend along the entire length of the corresponding first guide rail, but can be provided, for example, only in sections (partially). The second guide rail reduces the lateral sway of the cable car, thereby reducing the risk of damage.

[0007] Preferably, each parking track has at least one straight section in the region of its end facing the displacement device; the input track has at least one straight section in the region of its end facing the displacement device; and each track segment of the displacement device has at least one straight section in the region of its end, preferably along its entire length. This avoids, for example, curvature jumps, thereby allowing the cableway vehicle to move more easily and preferably smoothly.

[0008] Preferably, the straight sections of each track segment are parallel to each other, and the displacement device extends straight along the direction of movement of the fixed guide device, preferably at a right angle to the straight sections of the track segment. Alternatively, the straight sections of each track segment can be arranged at a track angle to each other, and the displacement device along the direction of movement of the fixed guide device can be arc-shaped, preferably annular (circular). Thus, a suitable structural implementation of the parking system can be provided according to the available space.

[0009] Preferably, the ends of the parking tracks facing the displacement device are spaced apart from each other by a parking distance in the direction of movement of the displacement device. This parking distance corresponds at least to the width of one of the cable car vehicles. Particularly preferably, for example, the parking distance is set as the sum of the vehicle width and a fixed safety distance of, for example, a few centimeters. This prevents collisions between cable car vehicles on adjacent parking tracks, thereby avoiding damage. However, in principle, a distance smaller than the vehicle width can also be used, for example, when the cableway moves alternately to adjacent parking tracks in a zipper system.

[0010] Preferably, the length of the track segment transverse to the direction of movement of the displacement device is at least equal to the length of the cable clamp or the length of one of the traveling mechanisms of the cable car. This ensures that the entire cable car can be fully placed on the track segment and then moved. Of course, for ease of operation, it is advantageous that the length of the track segment is greater than the length of the cable clamp or the length of the traveling mechanism.

[0011] The fixed guiding device may have at least one guide rail, while the displacement device may have multiple roller elements for movement along the at least one guide rail. For stable movement, it is advantageous for the fixed guiding device to have two (or more) spaced-apart guide rails transverse to the direction of movement of the displacement device, along which the displacement device can move by means of the roller elements. For example, suitable rollers, wheels, balls, etc., can be provided as roller elements, rotatably arranged at the displacement device. The roller elements may also have one or more gears, and the fixed guiding device may have one or more racks along which the gears roll. This allows for precise and repeatable positioning of the displacement device.

[0012] For automated control, it is advantageous to provide a drive unit for driving the displacement device along a fixed guide. For example, the drive unit may have a drive unit, such as an electric motor, arranged at the displacement device. This, for example, can drive the aforementioned multiple roller elements. Thus, the drive unit is part of the displacement device and can move with it. However, alternatively, the drive unit can also act on the displacement device externally, for example, by being configured as a chain drive, toothed belt drive, adjusting cylinder, etc. In this case, the drive unit is not part of the displacement device and therefore does not move with it.

[0013] Preferably, the displacement device has a first conveying device for conveying the cable car along a first track segment and a second conveying device for conveying the cable car along a second track segment. Thus, the cable car can be automatically conveyed along the track segments. Similarly, a third conveying device can be provided for conveying the cable car along a first parking track, and / or a fourth conveying device for conveying the cable car along a second parking track, and / or a fifth conveying device for conveying the cable car along an input track. Preferably, at least one conveying device has a tire conveyor designed to interact with the friction lining of the cable car to convey it. This allows for the advantageous use of the same conveying device as the auxiliary drive unit used in the operating area, reducing system costs in terms of construction and control technology. Alternatively, at least one of the conveying devices may also have a chain conveyor or a toothed belt conveyor. For example, the chain conveyor or toothed belt conveyor may have multiple clamping elements (carrying elements / intermediate elements) that interact with the components of the cable car to move the cable car. For example, the clamping element can apply driving force to the hanger, with a steel cable clamp arranged at the upper end of the hanger and the transport body (chair, pod) arranged at the lower end of the hanger.

[0014] Preferably, a control unit is also provided for controlling the drive device of the displacement device and / or for controlling the first conveying device of the displacement device and / or for controlling the second conveying device of the displacement device and / or for controlling the third conveying device of the first parking track and / or for controlling the fourth conveying device of the second parking track and / or for controlling the fifth conveying device of the input track. For example, the cableway may use a control unit that also primarily controls the drive of the cableway vehicles as this control unit. However, a separate control unit may also be provided, for example, which can communicate with the cableway's control unit in an appropriate manner to control the parking process (parking operation).

[0015] A first sensor device can be configured to generate a first sensor signal representing the position of the displacement device on the fixed guide device, and / or a second sensor device can be configured to generate a second sensor signal representing the presence of a cable car in a defined section of the input track. The control unit can be configured to use the first and / or second sensor signals to control the parking operation (parking process). For example, the control unit can only activate the available conveyor of the parking system when the sensor signals identify that a cable car is located on the input track and the displacement device is in a transfer position. This allows for a higher degree of automation in the parking system.

[0016] Furthermore, this task is solved using the method according to the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 through 3, which exemplarily, schematically, and non-limitingly illustrate advantageous design configurations of the invention. The figures show:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a cable car station with a parking area, where a parking system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is arranged.

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the parking system according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates another alternative implementation of the parking system according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 shows a cableway station 2 of a loop cableway 1, with an operating area BB and a parking area PB adjacent to the operating area. The loop cableway 1 has multiple cable cars 4 in a known manner, which can move between cableway station 2 and one or more other cableway stations (not shown) by means of a transport cable F. Cableway station 2, shown, serves as the terminal station where the cable cars 4 turn. For this purpose, a first cable sheave 3 is arranged in cableway station 2, around which the transport cable F deflects (turns). A second cable sheave 3 is arranged in another cableway station (not shown), around which the transport cable F also deflects (turns), thus forming a closed cable loop along which the cable cars 4 can move. The cable cars 4 typically have a transport body for receiving people and / or objects, such as a chairlift or a gondola (shown in Figure 1). The transport body is arranged in a known manner at the lower section of the gantry and can be suspended from the transport cable along with the gantry.

[0022] Furthermore, each cable car 4 has a suitable cable clamp 4a in a known manner, by means of which the cable car 4 can be releasably connected to the transport cable F. The cable clamp 4a is usually arranged in the upper section of the gantry. In the entry area E of the cable car station 2, the cable clamp 4a can be opened by a suitable (not shown) operating device to disengage the cable car 4 from the transport cable F. After disengagement, the cable car 4 can be braked and moved at a lower speed along a fixed vehicle-guide device 22 parallel to the platform 20 to the exit area A. This makes it easier for passengers P to get on and off at the platform 20 as indicated by the arrow. In the exit area A, the cable car 4 can accelerate back to the speed of the transport cable F and be reconnected to the transport cable F by reopening and then immediately closing the cable clamp 4a. Suitable auxiliary drive components, such as known tire conveyors or chain conveyors (not shown), can be installed in cableway station 2 to move the cableway vehicle 4 detached from the transport cable F along the vehicle-guide device 22.

[0023] A suitable vehicle-drive unit 21 is provided to drive the cableway vehicle 4. For example, the vehicle-drive unit 21 may have a first drive unit 21a for driving the steel cable sheave 3 and a second drive unit 21b for driving the auxiliary drive components. Drive units 21a and 21b are simplified in Figure 1. For example, drive units 21a and 21b may each have a suitable motor. Furthermore, a control unit 17 is provided in the circulating cableway 1 for controlling the vehicle-drive unit 21. The control unit 17 may have suitable hardware and / or software. In addition to the available drive units 21a and 21b for controlling the vehicle-drive unit 21, the control unit 17 may also be configured to control other functions of the circulating cableway 1, such as controlling the parking system PS according to the invention, which will be described in more detail below. The basic structure and operation of this cableway 1 are known, and therefore will not be described in more detail here.

[0024] As previously stated, the operating area BB of cableway station 2 is adjacent to the parking area PB. Platform 20 is located in the operating area BB, and cableway vehicles 4 can be parked in the parking area PB outside of operating hours or for maintenance. Platform 20 in the operating area BB is, of course, accessible to passenger P, while the parking area PB is generally inaccessible to passenger P. As mentioned at the beginning, the parking area PB can also be arranged in the opposite manner to the illustrated embodiment, for example, on a different level from the operating area BB, such as below or above it. This depends on the structural implementation of cableway station 2. However, the location of the parking area PB within cableway station 2 is not important to the description of the invention in terms of the function of the parking system PS according to the invention.

[0025] To perform the parking process (operation), a parking system PS according to the present invention is provided in the parking area PB. The parking system PS includes an input track 5, at least one first parking track 6, and at least one second parking track 7. Furthermore, a transfer device 8 is provided for transferring the cable car 4 from the input track 5 to the parking tracks 6 and 7. For example, as shown in FIG1, the input track 5 can be selectively connected to a vehicle-guided device 22 arranged in the operating area BB via a suitable switch W. Thus, the cable car 4 can, for example, be turned (ejected / launched) from the operating area BB to the parking area after operation. However, this is only exemplary, and the parking system PS can also be arranged at another location in the parking area PB. For example, the parking system (additionally or alternatively) can also be arranged at a location in the parking area PB farther from the operating area BB. For example, here, at least one of the parking tracks 6 and 7 can be used as the input track of the parking system PS. Thus, the cable car 4 can be moved from the corresponding parking track 6 or 7 to other downstream parking tracks (not shown). However, for simplicity, the invention is described only with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

[0026] The transfer device 8 has a displacement device V that can move along a fixed guide device 10, along a predetermined direction of movement BV, between a first transfer position U1 (shown in FIG. 1) and a second transfer position U2 (not shown in FIG. 1). The displacement device V has a first track segment 11 and a second track segment 12 spaced apart from the first track segment 11 in the direction of movement BV. In the first transfer position U1 shown, the first track segment 11 is aligned with the opposite ends 11a and 6a of the first parking track 6, allowing the cable car 4 to move from the first track segment 11 onto the first parking track 6. Furthermore, the opposite ends 5a and 12b of the input track 5 and the second track segment 12 are aligned, allowing the cable car 4 to move from the input track 5 onto the second track segment 12. When the displacement device V is in the second transfer position U2 (not shown), the opposite ends 5a and 11b of the first track segment 11 and the input track 5 are aligned, allowing the cable car 4 to move from the input track 5 onto the first track segment 11. Furthermore, the ends 12a and 7a of the second track segment 12 and the second parking track 7 facing each other are aligned, allowing the cable car vehicle 4 to move from the second track segment 12 onto the second parking track 7. To reliably avoid collisions, if possible, a sufficiently small distance can be maintained between the ends 5a, 11b, 12b or 6a, 11a or 7a, 12a facing each other.

[0027] In the example shown, the displacement device V has a single displacement slide (slider) 9, with a first track segment 11 and a second track segment 12 spaced apart from each other at the displacement slide 9. The first track segment 11 and the second track segment 12 can thus move together between a first transfer position U1 and a second transfer position U2 via the displacement slide 9. However, according to an alternative embodiment (described in more detail below with reference to FIG2), the displacement device V may also have at least one first displacement slide 9a and at least one second displacement slide 9b. In this case, the first track segment 11 is arranged at the first slide 9a, and the second track segment 12 is arranged at the second slide 9b. The first track segment 11 and the second track segment 12 can thus move independently of each other along the fixed guide device 10 between the first transfer position U1 and the second transfer position U2 via the displacement slides 9a, 9b.

[0028] The parking tracks 6 and 7, input track 5, and track segments 11 and 12 of the displacement device V may each have first guide rails 6_1, 7_1, 5_1, 11_1, and 12_1 for guiding the main guide rollers (rollers) of the cable car 4. Additionally, the parking tracks 6 and 7, input track 5, and track segments 11 and 12 of the displacement device V may also have second guide rails 6_2, 7_2, 5_2, 11_2, and 12_2 (not shown in Figure 1) for guiding the support guide rollers (rollers) of the cable car 4. Within the scope of this invention, the main guide rollers (rollers) should be understood as rollers (rolling elements, wheels) of the cable car 4 by means of which the cable car 4 moves along the main guide rail of the vehicle-guide device 22. Thus, the weight of the cable car 4 is supported at the main guide rail of the vehicle-guide device 22 by means of the main guide rollers (rollers). One or more such main guide rollers are typically arranged in the area of ​​the cable clamp 4a.

[0029] Within the scope of this invention, support guide rollers should be understood as rollers of the cable car 4 that are arranged in conjunction with the main guide rollers, and the cable car 4 is guided by these rollers along a support rail extending parallel to the main guide rail of the vehicle-guide device 22. The support guide rollers are used to minimize the lateral (sideways) swaying motion of the cable car 4 in the direction of movement. Each cable car 4 typically has one or more such support guide rollers arranged in the area of ​​the cable clamp 4a. The construction, implementation, and function of the vehicle-guide device 22, as well as the main guide rollers and support guide rollers (support guide rollers, auxiliary guide rollers), are known and therefore will not be described in more detail here.

[0030] Furthermore, it would be advantageous for parking tracks 6 and 7 to each have a straight section at least in the region of their respective parking track ends 6a and 7a; for input track 5 to have a straight section at least in the region of its respective input track end 5a; and for track segments 11 and 12 of the displacement device V to each have a straight section at least in the region of their respective track segment ends 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b. In the example shown, track segments 11 and 12 are constructed straight along their entire length. However, other orientations of parking tracks 6 and 7, input track 5, and track segments 11 and 12 are of course conceivable, such as curved orientations.

[0031] In the example according to Figure 1, the longitudinal axes of the straight track segments 11 and 12 are parallel to each other, and the direction of movement BV of the displacement device V moves along a straight line, which is here normal to the longitudinal axes of track segments 11 and 12. In an alternative embodiment (described in more detail below with reference to Figure 3), however, the longitudinal axes of track segments 11 and 12 may also be arranged at a segment angle (sector angle) β to each other, and the direction of movement BV of the displacement device V may extend in a curved, preferably annular (circular) manner. A suitable implementation can be selected according to the available space. Of course, it is also possible to have multiple parking systems PS within the parking area PB, and if possible, combinations of different parking systems PS.

[0032] To reliably avoid collisions of cable car 4 on adjacent parking tracks 6 and 7, it is preferable that the parking track ends 6a and 7a facing the displacement device V are separated from each other by a parking distance PA in the direction of movement BV of the displacement device V. This parking distance PA corresponds at least to the width FB of the cable car 4. However, it is preferable that the parking distance PA is chosen to be larger. For example, the parking distance PA can be the sum of the width FB and a defined (prescribed) safety distance. For example, the safety distance can range from a few centimeters to one meter or more. The distance between track segments 11 and 12 (or between ends 11a and 12a) is thus half of the parking distance PA.

[0033] As mentioned earlier, parking tracks 6 and 7 need not be forced to be straight, nor are they forced to be arranged perpendicular to the direction of movement BV of the displacement device V (as shown in Figure 1). For example, parking tracks 6 and 7 can also be straight and correspondingly arranged at a defined angle to the direction of movement BV of the displacement device V. Parking tracks 6 and 7 can also be curved or wavy. To reliably avoid collisions of cable car 4 vehicles on adjacent parking tracks 6 and 7, the parking distance PA should naturally be as close as possible to the entire length of parking tracks 6 and 7. However, each cable car 4 can also park on parking tracks 6 and 7 in a zipper-like system, such that they partially overlap in the lateral direction (lateral to the longitudinal direction). In this case, the parking distance PA can also be less than the vehicle width FB.

[0034] Preferably, the length SL of the track segments 11 and 12 of the displacement device V (transverse to the direction of movement BV of the displacement device V) is the cable clamp length SKL of at least one cable clamp 4a. Figure 1 exemplarily shows the cable clamp length SKL of the cable clamp 4a for the cable car 4 located before the entry area E in the cable car station 2.

[0035] If the loop cableway 1 is designed as a multi-cable loop cableway, then the cableway vehicle 4 has at least one carrying cable (carrying cable) in addition to the transport cable F. Here, at the cableway vehicle 4, a traveling mechanism with multiple traveling rollers (rotating rollers, guide rollers) is correspondingly provided, and each cableway vehicle 4 rolls along at least one carrying cable by means of the traveling mechanism. The carrying cable thus serves as the running track, and the transport cable F serves as the traction cable for driving the cableway vehicle 4. In the case of this type of multi-cable loop cableway 1, preferably, the length SL of track segments 11, 12 is at least the length of the traveling mechanism of the cableway vehicle 4 (not shown). This ensures that track segments 11, 12 are long enough to fully accommodate the cableway vehicle 4. Known multi-cable loop cableways are, for example, a double-cable loop cableway with one traction cable and one carrying cable, or a triple-cable loop cableway (also called a "3S cableway") with two carrying cables and one traction cable.

[0036] Preferably, the fixed guiding device 10 has at least one guide rail 10a, and the displacement device V has a plurality of roller elements 13, which the displacement device V rolls along at least one guide rail 10a by means of these roller elements. For example, the plurality of roller elements 13 may be rolling bodies (rollers / wheels), wheels, balls, or the like, which are supported at the displacement device V in a suitable manner. For example, as shown in FIG1, the displacement carriage (slide block / slider) 9 may have a frame, for example, made of a shaped tube. The roller elements 13 may here be arranged laterally (sideways) at the frame of the displacement carriage 9 and roll at the guide rails 10a and 10b.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the fixed guide device 10 may also have two (or more) spaced-apart guide rails 10a and 10b transverse to the direction of movement BV of the displacement device V, along which the displacement device V can move by means of roller elements 13. For example, each of the guide rails 10a and 10b may have a U-shaped guide rail with sides opening toward each other. The roller elements 13 may be received between opposing (upper and lower) legs of the U-shaped guide rails. For example, the multiple roller elements 13 may also have one or more gears, and a suitable rack (not shown) may be provided at at least one guide rail 10a. This allows for precise and repeatable positioning of the displacement device V along the fixed guide device 10.

[0038] Furthermore, a drive unit 14 is provided in the parking system PS for driving the displacement device V along the fixed guide device 10. For example, the drive unit 14 may have an electric drive unit, such as an electric motor, arranged at the displacement device V, for example, at the displacement slide 9 in FIG. 1. For example, the drive unit 14 may be configured to drive one or more roller elements 13 and move together with the displacement device V. Alternatively, the drive unit 14 may also act on the displacement device V from the outside and thus is not part of the displacement device V. In this case, the drive unit 14 may have, for example, a chain drive, a toothed belt drive, an adjusting cylinder (servo cylinder) or the like, and be arranged at a suitable fixed position in the cableway station 2.

[0039] Furthermore, the displacement device V may have a first conveying device 15 for conveying the cable car 4 along the first track segment 11 and a second conveying device 16 for conveying the cable car 4 along the second track segment 12. In the example shown, the first conveying device 15 and the second conveying device 16 are respectively formed as tire conveyors, which, similar to the auxiliary drive described above, can be configured to move the cable car 4 detached from the transport cable F along the vehicle-guide device 22. As shown in FIG1, the tire conveyor may have a plurality of tires arranged sequentially to each other in the longitudinal direction of the respective track segments 11, 12 in a known manner. As shown by the connecting lines in FIG1, the tires may be driven by a suitable drive unit, such as an electric motor, which may be controlled, for example, by a control unit 17. For simplicity, the drive units of the conveyors 15, 16 are not shown. In order to drive the cable car 4, the tires of the tire conveyor may interact with the friction pads of the cable car 4 in a known manner, for example, the friction pads may be provided in the area of ​​the cable clamp 4a. Of course, this should be understood as merely exemplary, and the conveying devices 15 and 16 can also be formed in other forms, such as chain conveyors, toothed belt conveyors, etc.

[0040] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the parking system PS includes a third conveying device (not shown) for conveying the cable car 4 along the first parking track 6, and / or a fourth conveying device (not shown) for conveying the cable car 4 along the second parking track 7, and / or a fifth conveying device (not shown) for conveying the cable car 4 along the input track 5. For example, the third, fourth, and fifth conveying devices may be tire conveyors, chain conveyors, toothed belt conveyors, or the like. However, the parking tracks 6 and 7 can also be implemented in principle as driveless. For example, here, each cable car 4 can be pushed from the first or second conveying device 15 or 16 onto the corresponding parking track 6 or 7 by correspondingly following (following) cable car 4. The inclination (preferably variable) of the parking tracks 6 and 7 is also conceivable, allowing the cable car 4 to move along the parking tracks 6 and 7 under the influence of gravity.

[0041] In addition to the drive device 14 that controls the displacement device V, the first conveying device 15 and the second conveying device 16 of the displacement device V, the control unit 17 may also be configured as a third conveying device for controlling the first parking track 6, a fourth conveying device for the second parking track 7 and a fifth conveying device for the input track 5.

[0042] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the first sensor device 18 is configured to generate a first sensor signal S1, representing the position of the displacement device V on the guide device 10. Similarly, a second sensor device 19 may be provided, configured to generate a second sensor signal S2, representing the presence of the cable car vehicle 4 in a defined (prescribed) section of the input track 5. The control unit 17 can use the first sensor signal S1 and the second sensor signal S2 to control the parking process (operation), particularly for controlling the first and second conveyor devices 15 and 16 of track sections 11 and 12, and for controlling the fifth conveyor device of the input track 5. For example, the defined section of the input track 5 may be a region of a certain length, such as a few meters, adjacent to the end 5a.

[0043] For example, the control unit 17 can only activate the first and second conveying devices 15 and 16 of track segments 11 and 12 when the displacement device V is identified as being in the first transfer position U1 or the second transfer position U2 based on the first sensor signal S1, and when the cable car 4 is identified as being in the input track 5 based on the second sensor signal S2. Sensor devices 18 and 19 may have a plurality of suitable sensors that communicate with the control unit 17 via wired or wireless means. For example, electrical limit switches or inductive, capacitive, or optical sensors can be used as sensors. For simplicity, sensor devices 18 and 19 in Figure 1 are shown in the area of ​​the control unit 17. Of course, in practice, the sensors are arranged in appropriate locations to generate the corresponding sensor signals S1 and S2.

[0044] The construction of the parking system PS has now been fully described. For completeness, the following section will describe the application of the parking system PS to perform the parking process for multiple cable car vehicles 4.

[0045] First, for example, the vehicle-guiding device 22 moves the first cable car 4 onto the input track 5 via the switch W. If the parking system PS is additionally or alternatively located at another location in the parking area PB, one of the parking tracks 6 or 7 can also serve as the input track. However, for simplicity, the embodiment shown in FIG1 is referred to. When the displacement device V is in the first transfer position U1 shown in FIG1, the first cable car 4 can move from the input track 5 onto the second track segment 12 of the displacement device V. For example, this can be achieved by simultaneously activating (acting) the second conveyor 16 of the second track segment 12 and the third conveyor (not shown) of the input track 5. When the displacement device V is in the second transfer position U2 (not shown in FIG1), the first cable car 4 can move from the input track 5 onto the first track segment 11 of the displacement device V. For example, this can be achieved by simultaneously activating the first conveyor 15 of the first track segment 11 and the third conveyor (not shown) of the input track 5.

[0046] When the first cable car vehicle 4 is located at the second track segment 12 (which can be detected, for example, by another sensor device), the displacement device V, including the first cable car vehicle 4, moves from the first transfer position U1 to the second transfer position U2 along the (position) fixed guide device 10. This can be achieved by the control unit 17 correspondingly controlling the drive device 14 of the displacement device V. When the first cable car vehicle 4 is located at the first track segment 11 (which can again be detected, for example, by another sensor device), the displacement device V, including the first cable car vehicle 4, moves from the second transfer position U2 to the first transfer position U1 along the fixed guide device 10.

[0047] When the displacement device V is in the corresponding end position (first or second transfer position U1, U2) (which can be determined, for example, by the first sensor device 18), the first cable car vehicle 4 moves from the first track segment 11 to the first parking track 6, or from the second track segment 12 to the second parking track 7. This can be done by the control unit 17 controlling the first or second conveying devices 15, 16, and, if possible, controlling a third conveying device that may be provided on the first parking track 6, or a fourth conveying device that may be provided on the second parking track 7.

[0048] When the first cable car 4 moves from the first track segment 11 of the displacement device V to the first parking track 6 at the first transfer position U1, the subsequent second cable car 4 can have already moved from the input track 5 to the second track segment 12 of the displacement device V. Similarly, when the first cable car 4 moves from the second track segment 12 to the second parking track 7 at the second transfer position U2, the second cable car 4 can have already moved from the input track 5 to the first track segment 11 of the displacement device V. Thus, compared to the prior art, the parking process (operation) is accelerated because the corresponding subsequent cable car 4 can already be parked on the displacement device V. The parking operation can now be repeated for other subsequent cable cars 4. For example, when the first parking track 6 and / or the second parking track 7 reach their maximum storage capacity, subsequent other cable cars 4 can also be parked on the first track segment 11 or the second track segment 12 of the displacement device V.

[0049] Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the parking system according to the invention. In the example according to Figure 1, the displacement device V has a single displacement slide (carriage) 9; however, the displacement device V according to Figure 2 has two independent displacement slides 9a, 9b, which can move independently of each other along a fixed guide device 10. In the example shown, the fixed guide device 10 has only one guide rail 10a. Of course, as shown in Figure 1, two parallel guide rails 10a, 10b, or more, if possible, are also conceivable. A first track segment 11 is arranged at the first displacement slide 9a, and a second track segment 12 is arranged at the second displacement slide 9b. A first conveying device 15 for conveying the cable car vehicle 4 along the first track segment 11 is provided at the first displacement slide 9a; the first conveying device 15 (exemplary only) can be designed as a tire conveyor. Similarly, a second conveying device 16 for conveying the cable car vehicle 4 along the second track segment 12 is provided at the second displacement slide 9a. This second conveying device 16 (exemplary only) can also be designed as a tire conveyor. The tires of the tire conveyors 15 and 16 shown in Figure 2 can be driven by a suitable drive unit controlled by a control unit 17. Furthermore, a third conveying device for conveying the cable car vehicle 4 along the first parking track 6, a fourth conveying device for conveying the cable car vehicle 4 along the second parking track 7, and a fifth conveying device for conveying the cable car vehicle 4 along the input track 5 are also provided. As shown in Figure 2, the third, fourth, and fifth conveying devices can also be tire conveyors, but alternatively, they can also have other suitable drive components, such as chain conveyors, toothed belt conveyors, or the like.

[0050] In the example according to Figure 1, track segments 11 and 12 only have first guide rails 11_1 and 12_1 for the main guide rollers of the cable car 4. However, in the example according to Figure 2, track segments 11 and 12 respectively have additional second guide rails 11_2 and 12_2 for the support guide rollers of the cable car 4. This reduces the lateral swaying motion of the cable car 4 (especially during the movement of the displacement slides 9a and 9b), thereby reducing the risk of damage. Advantageously, parking tracks 6 and 7 also have first guide rails 6_1 and 7_1 for guiding the main guide rollers of the cable car 4 and second guide rails 6_2 and 7_2 for guiding the support guide rollers of the cable car 4, respectively. As shown in Figure 2, the second guide rails 6_2 and 7_2 of parking tracks 6 and 7 do not necessarily extend along the entire length of the first guide rails 6_1 and 7_1, and can be shorter if possible, for example, only provided in the section adjacent to the displacement device V. In the sections of parking tracks 6 and 7 that are further away from the displacement device V, it is sufficient to install only the first guide rails 6_1 and 7_1.

[0051] The basic functions of the parking system PS according to Figure 2 are the same as those in Figure 1. In the first transfer position U1 shown, the first displacement slide 9a is positioned such that the first track segment 11 is aligned with the first parking track 6, allowing the cable car vehicle 4 to move from the first track segment 11 onto the first parking track 6. Furthermore, the second displacement slide 9b is positioned in the first transfer position U1 such that the second track segment 12 is aligned with the input track 5, allowing the cable car vehicle 4 to move from the input track 5 onto the second track segment 12. In the second transfer position U2 (not shown), the first displacement slide 9a is positioned such that the first track segment 11 is aligned with the input track 5, allowing the cable car vehicle 4 to move from the input track 5 onto the first track segment 11. The second displacement slide 9b is positioned in the second transfer position U2 such that the second track segment 12 is aligned with the second parking track 7, allowing the cable car vehicle 4 to move from the second track segment 12 onto the second parking track 7.

[0052] However, due to the independent movement of the displacement slides 9a and 9b, they do not necessarily move simultaneously and at the same speed or acceleration during the parking process (operation). This allows for more flexible control of the parking process (operation). However, the two displacement slides 9a and 9b can of course be synchronized, causing them to move simultaneously. The displacement slides 9a and 9b each have their own drive devices 14a and 14b, for example, in the form of electric motors. The drive devices 14a and 14b are part of the displacement slides 9a and 9b and move together with them. However, as explained with respect to Figure 1, one or more external drive devices 14 can also be provided, acting on the displacement slides 9a and 9b, but not as part of them (e.g., chain drives, toothed belt drives, etc.).

[0053] Figure 3 shows another alternative embodiment of the parking system PS according to the invention. The parking system PS is constructed essentially the same as in Figure 1, having a displacement device V with a (single) displacement slide 9 movable along a fixed guide device 10 having two parallel guide rails 10a, 10b. However, unlike in Figure 1, the fixed guide device 10 here is not implemented straight, but curved. Thus, the displacement slide 9 can move along the fixed guide device 10, between the first transfer position U1 and the second transfer position U2 (not shown in Figure 3), along a curved direction of movement BV. In an advantageous embodiment, the direction of movement BV can be, for example, a circular track with a center M. Of course, other curved shapes are also conceivable, such as elliptical tracks or similar tracks.

[0054] The input track 5 is formed as a straight line, extending radially from the center M to the fixed guide device 10. The first track segment 11 and the second track segment 12 of the displacement slide 9 are formed as straight lines and also extend radially. Although the track segments 11 and 12 in FIG. 1 are arranged parallel to each other, the track segments 11 and 12 in FIG. 3 are arranged at the displacement slide 9 at a track segment angle (track sector angle) α relative to each other. The parking tracks 6 and 7 are also implemented as straight lines, abutting the fixed guide device 10 on the side opposite to the input track 5, and also extending radially. The parking tracks 6 and 7 are arranged at a parking track angle β relative to each other, which corresponds to twice the track segment angle (track sector angle) α. Furthermore, the function of the parking system PS remains unchanged compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 1. This means that the displacement slide 9 can move between the first transfer position U1 shown and the second transfer position U2 (not shown).

[0055] In the first transfer position U1 shown, the first free end 11a of the first track segment 11 is aligned with the free end 6a of the first parking track 6, and the second free end 12b of the second track segment 12 is aligned with the free end 5a of the input track 5. In the second transfer position U2 (not shown), the second free end 11b of the first track segment 11 is aligned with the free end 5a of the input track 5, while the first free end 12a of the second track segment 12 is aligned with the free end 7a of the second parking track 7. To avoid repetition, the advantageous embodiments are shown with reference to FIG1, and they apply in a similar manner to the embodiment of FIG3.

Claims

1. A parking system (PS) for a parking area (PB) of a cableway station (2) of a cableway (1), for performing parking operations on multiple cableway vehicles (4) of the cableway (1), wherein, The parking system (PS) includes an input track (5), at least one first parking track (6), and a second parking track (7), and includes a transfer device (8) for transferring the cable car vehicle (4) from the input track (5) to the parking tracks (6, 7). The transfer device (8) is characterized by having a displacement device (V) capable of moving along a fixed guide device (10) between a first transfer position (U1) and a second transfer position (U2), wherein the displacement device (V) has a first track segment (11) and a second track segment (12). 12), wherein, in the first transfer position (U1) of the displacement device (V), the cable car (4) can move from the first track segment (11) to the first parking track (6) and the cable car (4) can move from the input track (5) to the second track segment (12), while in the second transfer position (U2) of the displacement device (V), the cable car (4) can move from the input track (5) to the first track segment (11) and the cable car (4) can move from the second track segment (12) to the second parking track (7).

2. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The displacement device (V) has a displacement slide (9), and the first track segment (11) and the second track segment (12) are arranged at the displacement slide (9) spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement (BV) of the displacement device (V), wherein the first track segment (11) and the second track segment (12) can be moved together by means of the displacement slide (9); or, the displacement device (V) has at least one first displacement slide (9a) and one second displacement slide (9b), wherein the first track segment (11) is arranged at the first displacement slide (9a), and the second track segment (12) is arranged at the second displacement slide (9b), wherein the first track segment (11) and the second track segment (12) can be moved independently by means of the displacement slides (9a, 9b).

3. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The parking track (6, 7), the input track (5), and the track segment (11, 12) of the displacement device (V) respectively have first guide rails (6_1, 7_1, 5_1, 11_1, 12_1) for guiding the main guide rollers of the cable car vehicle (4), and / or the parking track (6, 7), the input track (5), and the track segment (11, 12) of the displacement device (V) respectively have second guide rails (6_2, 7_2, 5_2, 11_2, 12_2) for guiding the supporting guide rollers of the cable car vehicle (4).

4. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The parking tracks (6, 7) respectively have straight sections at least in the region of their parking track ends (6a, 7a) facing the displacement device (V); the input track (5) has a straight section at least in the region of one input track end (5a) facing the displacement device (V); and the track segments (11, 12) of the displacement device (V) respectively have straight sections at least in the region of their segment ends (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b).

5. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The parking tracks (6, 7) respectively have straight sections at least in the region of their parking track ends (6a, 7a) facing the displacement device (V); the input track (5) has a straight section at least in the region of one input track end (5a) facing the displacement device (V); and the track segments (11, 12) of the displacement device (V) respectively have straight sections along their entire length.

6. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The straight sections of the track segments (11, 12) are parallel to each other, and the displacement device (V) extends straight along the direction of movement (BV) of the fixed guide device (10); or, the straight sections of the track segments (11, 12) are arranged at an orbital angle (α) relative to each other, and the displacement device (V) is curved along the direction of movement (BV) of the fixed guide device (10).

7. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The straight sections of the track segments (11, 12) are parallel to each other, and the displacement device (V) extends straight along the direction of movement (BV) of the fixed guide device (10) at a right angle to the straight sections of the track segments (11, 12); or, the straight sections of the track segments (11, 12) are arranged at an orbital angle (α) relative to each other, and the displacement device (V) is annular along the direction of movement (BV) of the fixed guide device (10).

8. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The parking track ends (6a, 7a) of the parking track (6, 7) facing the displacement device (V) are spaced apart by a parking distance (PA) in the direction of movement (BV) of the displacement device (V), and the parking distance corresponds at least to the width (FB) of the cable car (4) of the cableway (1).

9. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The parking rails (6, 7) are spaced apart by a parking distance (PA) in the direction of movement (BV) of the displacement device (V) at the ends (6a, 7a) of the parking rails (6, 7) facing the displacement device (V). The parking distance corresponds to the sum of the vehicle width (FB) and a defined safety distance.

10. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The length (SL) of the track segment (11, 12) transverse to the direction of motion (BV) of the displacement device (V) corresponds at least to the length (SKL) of the cable clamp (4a) or the length of the traveling mechanism of the cable car (4).

11. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fixed guiding device (10) has at least one guide rail (10a), and the displacement device (V) has a plurality of roller elements (13) for moving along the at least one guide rail (10a).

12. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fixed guide device (10) has at least one guide rail (10a), and the displacement device (V) has a plurality of roller elements (13) for moving along the at least one guide rail (10a), wherein the fixed guide device (10) has at least two spaced guide rails (10a, 10b) transverse to the direction of movement (BV) of the displacement device (V).

13. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A drive unit (14) is provided for driving the displacement device (V) along a fixed guide device (10).

14. The parking system (PS) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The displacement device (V) has a first conveying device (15) for conveying the cable car (4) along the first track segment (11) and a second conveying device (16) for conveying the cable car (4) along the second track segment (12).

15. The parking system (PS) as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The system is equipped with a third conveying device for conveying cable cars along the first parking track (6), and / or a fourth conveying device for conveying cable cars (4) along the second parking track (7), and / or a fifth conveying device for conveying cable cars along the input track (5).

16. The parking system (PS) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, At least one of the first conveying device (15) and the second conveying device (16) has a tire conveyor designed to work in conjunction with the friction lining of the cable car (4) to transport the cable car (4); or at least one of the first conveying device (15) and the second conveying device (16) has a chain conveyor or a toothed belt conveyor.

17. The parking system (PS) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The device is provided with a control unit (17), a drive unit (14) for controlling the displacement device (V), and / or a first conveying device (15) for controlling the displacement device (V), and / or a second conveying device (16) for controlling the displacement device (V), and / or a third conveying device for controlling the first parking track (6), and / or a fourth conveying device for controlling the second parking track (7), and / or a fifth conveying device for controlling the input track.

18. The parking system (PS) as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, A first sensor device (18) is provided, the first sensor device (18) being configured to generate a first sensor signal (S1) representing the position of the displacement device (V) on the fixed guide device (10); and or a second sensor device (19) is provided, the second sensor device (19) being configured to generate a second sensor signal (S2) representing the presence of the cable car vehicle (4) in a defined section of the input track (5), and the control unit (17) is configured to control the parking operation using the first sensor signal (S1) and / or the second sensor signal (S2).

19. An application of the parking system (PS) as described in any one of claims 1 to 18 for performing parking operations on a plurality of cable car vehicles (4), wherein the following steps are performed: - when the displacement device (V) is in the second transfer position (U2), moving the first cable car vehicle (4) from the input track (5) onto the first track segment (11) of the displacement device (V), or when the displacement device (V) is in the first transfer position (U1), moving the first cable car vehicle (4) from the input track (5) onto the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V), - moving the displacement device (V) including the first cable car vehicle (4) from the second transfer position (U2) to the first transfer position (U1) along a fixed guide device (10); or, conversely, - When the displacement device (V) is in the first transfer position (U1), the first cable car vehicle (4) is moved from the first track segment (11) of the displacement device (V) to the first parking track (6), or when the displacement device (V) is in the second transfer position (U2), the first cable car vehicle (4) is moved from the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V) to the second parking track (7).

20. The application as described in claim 19, characterized in that, Additionally, the following steps are performed: while the first cable car (4) moves from the first track segment (11) of the displacement device (V) to the first parking track (6), the subsequent second cable car (4b) moves from the input track (5) to the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V), or while the first cable car (4) moves from the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V) to the second parking track (7), the second cable car (4b) moves from the input track (5) to the first track segment (11) of the displacement device (V).

21. A cableway (1) having multiple cableway stations (2) and multiple cableway vehicles (4), said multiple cableway vehicles (4) being movable between said cableway stations (2) by means of transport cables (F), wherein, In at least one cableway station (2), a parking area (PB) is provided with a parking system (PS) for performing parking operations on a plurality of cableway vehicles (4), characterized in that the parking system (PS) is a parking system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a vehicle-guide device (22) is provided in the at least one cableway station (2), the cableway vehicles (4) detached from the transport cable (F) can move along the vehicle-guide device (22) from the entry area (E) of the cableway station (2) to the exit area (A) of the cableway station (2), and the cableway vehicles (4) can move from the vehicle-guide device (22) to the input track (5) of the parking system (PS).

22. A method for performing parking operations on multiple cable car vehicles (4) in a parking area (PB) of a cable car station (2) of a cable car (1), wherein, The first cable car vehicle (4) moves along the input track (5), and the displacement device (V) can shift between a first transfer position (U1) and a second transfer position (U2). When the displacement device (V) is in the second transfer position (U2), the first cable car vehicle moves from the input track (5) to the first track segment (11) of the displacement device (V); or when the displacement device (V) is in the first transfer position (U1), the first cable car vehicle moves from the input track (5) to the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V), the second track segment (12) being spaced apart from the first track segment (11) in the direction of movement (BV) of the displacement device (V), wherein the first cable car vehicle is included. (4) The displacement device (V) moves from the first transfer position (U1) to the second transfer position (U2) along the fixed guide device (10); or, conversely; wherein, when the displacement device (V) is in the first transfer position (U1), the first cable car vehicle (4) moves from the first track segment (11) of the displacement device (V) to the first parking track (6), or when the displacement device (V) is in the second transfer position (U2), the first cable car vehicle moves from the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V) to the second parking track (7), the second parking track (7) being spaced apart from the first parking track (6) in the direction of movement (BV) of the displacement device (V).

23. The method as described in claim 22, characterized in that, While the first cable car (4) moves from the first track segment (11) of the displacement device (V) to the first parking track (6), the second cable car (4b) following the first cable car (4) moves along the input track (5) and from the input track (5) to the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V); or, while the first cable car (4) moves from the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V) to the second parking track (7), the second cable car (4b) moves from the input track (5) to the first track segment (11) of the displacement device (V).

24. The method as described in claim 23, characterized in that, Repeat for the other cable cars (4) following the second cable car (4b). The parking operation according to claims 22 and 23, wherein, When the first parking track (6) and / or the second parking track (7) reaches its maximum storage capacity, the subsequent cable car vehicle (4) will be parked on the first track segment (11) or the second track segment (12) of the displacement device (V).

Images