DOOR CONTROL FOR A CABLE CAR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable car vehicle for a cable car with at least one access barrier, which can be displaced within a cable car station by a mechanical positive control between an opening position which allows access to the cable car vehicle and a closing position in which access to the cable car vehicle is blocked.The invention further relates to a cable car with at least one cable car station and with at least one cable car vehicle, wherein at least one access barrier is provided on the cable car vehicle, which can be moved between an open position in which access to the cable car vehicle is possible, and a closed position in which access to the cable car vehicle is blocked, wherein a remote-controlled actuating device for actuating the access barrier is provided on the cable car vehicle, wherein the actuating device can be controlled by a remote control unit in order to open and / or close the access barrier within the cable car station.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a cable car with at least one cable car station and with at least one cable car vehicle, wherein at least one access barrier is provided on the cable car vehicle, which access barrier can be moved between an open position that allows access to the cable car vehicle and a closed position in which access to the cable car vehicle is blocked, wherein the access barrier in the cable car station is opened and / or closed independently of a mechanical positive control provided in the cable car station for actuating the access barrier by means of a remote-controlled actuating device provided on the cable car vehicle, wherein the actuating unit is controlled by means of a remote control unit.

[0002] Cable car systems are used to transport people and materials between two or more cable car stations. For this purpose, a number of cable car vehicles, such as chairs or cabins, are moved between the cable car stations, either in a circular or shuttle service. The cable car vehicles are moved between the cable car stations by means of at least one haulage cable. The cable car vehicle can be suspended from at least one supporting cable, or the haulage cable (aerial cable cars), or it can be mounted on rails or the ground (funicular railways) and moved by at least one haulage cable. The cable car vehicle can also be clamped detachably or permanently to the haulage cable and moved with the haulage cable.In revolving cable cars, the cable car vehicles are often decoupled from the haulage cable in a cable car station, for example by means of detachable cable clamps, and are moved through the cable car station at a lower speed to facilitate the boarding or disembarking of persons or the loading or unloading of material.

[0003] It is known to operate certain functions in cable cars using a mechanical positive control, in particular a guide rail control, for example the opening or closing of a cable clamp, the lowering or raising of a safety bar or a weather protection hood of a chair, or the opening and closing of a door of a cabin or gondola in a cable car station. For this purpose, a guide rail is arranged at a fixed station, which is scanned by a sensing element on the cable car vehicle as it passes through. The sensing element is arranged on a rotatably mounted lever, which is pivoted when scanned. The specific function is then carried out via a Bowden cable or a rod acting on the lever. An example of the opening and closing function of a door can be found in US 3,742,864 A, and EP 1 671 867 B1 shows an example of the lowering and raising of a safety bar.

[0004] However, the use of a guide rail system limits the flexibility of the door control. In particular, the times and positions at which the doors of a cabin within a cable car station are opened or closed depend on the specific design of the guide rail system in the cable car station and are therefore fixed. Changing the opening and closing positions is not possible or only possible with great effort, as this would require changing the fixed guide rail system in the cable car station. Under certain circumstances, however, it may be desirable to be able to change the positions and times at which the doors are opened or closed. For example, this could be the case in emergencies within the cable car station when the cable car vehicle is already outside the guide rail system.In emergencies, it was previously necessary to open the doors manually, especially by pushing them open, which requires skill and considerable force. However, it could also happen, for example, that the gate control malfunctions, preventing the door from opening as intended or in the intended position.

[0005] EP 2 708 434 A1 discloses a cable car station in which several functions of the cable car, such as the opening / closing of the doors of the cable car vehicles, can be controlled via a control unit. The control unit can be controlled by a user via a stationary user interface in a control room or via a remote control in a defined area of ​​the station.

[0006] EP 2 067 682 A1 discloses a method for remotely monitoring the locking state of the doors of a cable car vehicle.

[0007] Based on the state of the art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to increase the reliability of the operation of a cable car within a cable car station.

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by providing a mechanical override in the cable car station for opening and / or closing the access barrier, and by controlling the actuating device via the remote control unit to open and / or close the access barrier within the cable car station independently of the mechanical override. This increases the flexibility of the door control within the cable car station because the door can be opened and / or closed as needed, independently of the override.

[0009] The remote control unit is preferably designed as a stationary remote control unit, preferably located in a control room of the cable car station. Alternatively or additionally, the actuating device can preferably be controlled via a portable remote control unit, preferably a mobile phone or a portable computer. Control signals can be transmitted wirelessly and / or wired from the remote control unit to the actuating device of the cable car vehicle. This allows the operating personnel to operate the device, for example, from the control room or flexibly from any position within the cable car station.

[0010] The actuating device preferably comprises a mechanical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic and / or electromechanical actuator for driving the access barrier. This allows for a simple drive of the access barrier that generates sufficient actuating forces.

[0011] To supply power to the actuating device, an energy storage device is advantageously provided on the cable car vehicle and / or an energy generation unit is provided on the cable car vehicle and / or the energy supply to the actuating device is wired or wireless within the cable car station. The energy storage device is preferably designed as a mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical energy storage device. The wired energy supply is preferably provided via sliding contacts, or the wireless energy transmission is preferably inductive. A mechanically driven electric generator and / or a solar unit are advantageously provided as the energy generation unit on the cable car vehicle within the cable car station. This allows a suitable energy supply to be provided depending on the area of ​​application.

[0012] The cable car vehicle advantageously comprises a cabin, with the access barrier being a door, or the cable car vehicle comprises a chair, with the access barrier being a safety bar or a dome. This allows the invention to be applied to various common cable cars.

[0013] The problem is also solved with a cable car vehicle in that a remote-controlled actuating device for actuating the access barrier is provided on the cable car vehicle in order to open and / or close the access barrier within the cable car station independently of the mechanical forced control by means of a remote control unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method in that a mechanical forced control is provided in the cable car station for opening and / or closing the access barrier and in that the access barrier in the cable car station is opened and / or closed with the remote-controlled actuating device independently of the mechanical forced control.

[0015] The present invention is described below with reference to Figur 1 which shows an advantageous embodiment of the invention by way of example, schematically and not restrictively. Fig.1 a cable car station of a cable car in top view.

[0016] In Fig.1 1 shows a cable car station 1 of a cable car designed as a gondola lift. The basic structure and function of a cable car station 1 are known, which is why a detailed description is omitted here. The illustration is therefore highly simplified and only the components essential to the invention are shown. The cable car has a plurality of cable car vehicles F which are moved by a haulage cable 2. In the example shown, the cable car is designed as a circulating system in which the cable car vehicles F are fixedly or detachably coupled to the haulage cable 2. The haulage cable is deflected by 180° around a circulating pulley 3 and is driven by the circulating pulley 3. For this purpose, a cable car drive (not shown), for example an electric drive, is provided which drives the circulating pulley 3.Of course, this is only an example, and multiple cable car stations 1 can also be provided in the cable car, for example, two end stations and one or more intermediate stations, with a cable car drive being provided in each cable car station. A deflection of less than 180° would also be conceivable in principle. As a rule, at least two cable car stations 1 are provided, between which the cable car vehicles F travel, for example, to transport people and / or objects, with a cable car drive being provided in at least one cable car station 1.

[0017] Of course, other cable car vehicles F could also be provided, e.g., chairs if the cable car is designed as a chairlift. The cable car does not have to be designed as a circulating system, but could also be designed as a conventional reversible aerial tramway.

[0018] As is known, the cable car vehicles F of a circulating cable car can also be uncoupled from the haulage cable 2 when entering a cable car station 1 in order to be able to move through the cable car station 1 at a generally lower speed, regardless of the speed of the haulage cable 2. When exiting the cable car station 1, the cable car vehicles F can be accelerated again and coupled to the haulage cable 2. This enables more convenient boarding and alighting of the cable car vehicles F within the cable car station 1, and the unchanged high speed of the haulage cable 12 still allows a high transport capacity to be achieved. In the uncoupled state, the cable car vehicles F can be guided, for example, by means of rollers (not shown) on a guide rail 4 which is arranged in an upper area of ​​the cable car station 1.The drive of the cable car vehicles F decoupled from the haulage cable 2 during movement within the cable car station 1 can, for example, be effected via a known friction drive.

[0019] At least one access barrier 5 is provided on each cable car vehicle F, which can be moved between an open position in which access to the cable car vehicle F is possible, and a closed position in which access to the cable car vehicle F is blocked. In the gondola lift shown, the access barrier 5 is, for example, a door of the cabin. Depending on the design of the cable car, several access barriers 5 or doors could of course also be provided on the cable car vehicle F. In the cabins of a reversible aerial tramway, for example, two opposite doors are often provided on the cabin. If the cable car is designed as a chairlift, for example, the access barrier 5 can be a safety bar or a dome for protection against the weather.

[0020] As is known, the actuation of the access barrier 5 is often carried out by a mechanical positive control provided in the cable car station 1. The access barrier 5 is usually actuated to open and / or close by the interaction of a first actuating part arranged on the cable car vehicle F and a second actuating part arranged stationary in the cable car station 1, preferably by the movement of the cable car vehicle F through the cable car station 1. A return spring (not shown) or a locking device can also be provided to ensure that the access barrier 5 is held in the closed position when not actuated. This keeps, for example, the door of the cabin closed while the cable car vehicle F is moving outside a cable car station 1.

[0021] The access barrier 5 is often designed as a known gate control. In this case, a lever 6 (as the first actuating part) is arranged on the cable car vehicle F, which is suitably hinged to the access barrier 5 and via which the access barrier can be actuated for opening and closing. A guide roller 7 can be arranged on the lever, which interacts with a gate 8 (as the second actuating part) to actuate the lever 6.

[0022] The link 8 can, for example, extend in the form of a guide rail over a specific section of the cable car station 1 in which the access barrier 5 is to be opened, for example in an entry / exit area 9 of a platform 10, as indicated by the arrow in Fig.1 is indicated. At the beginning 8a of the link 8, the guide roller 7 of the lever 6 is received by the link 8 and positively guided therein. Depending on the course of the link 8, the guide roller 7 is displaced here transversely to the direction of movement, whereby the lever 6 is actuated and the access barrier 5 is opened. At the end of the entry / exit area 9, the guide roller 7 is displaced back in the opposite direction according to the course of the link 8, whereby the access barrier 5 is closed. Of course, the link guide is shown in a greatly simplified manner in order to explain the basic mode of operation. The link guide could, for example, also be designed such that the link 8, for example in the form of a guide rail running in the direction of movement of the cable car vehicles F, is arranged above the passing cable car vehicles F in the cable car station 1.In this case, the guide rail can have a variable vertical path, so that a vertical actuating force is exerted on the guide roller 7 arranged on the lever 6. The opening mechanism of the access barrier 5 would, of course, be designed such that the access barrier 5 can be opened and closed by the vertical actuating force depending on the path of the guide 8.

[0023] The specific structural design depends on the type of cable car and in particular on the cable car vehicle or the opening mechanism of the access barrier 5. Depending on the specific design of the mechanical forced control or guide rail, the opening time or the opening position of the access barrier within the cable car station 1 is fixed and cannot be changed or can only be changed with great effort. Opening or closing the access barrier 5 outside of the specified positions is therefore not possible. If a cable car vehicle F is already outside the guide rail in the direction of travel, for example, the access barrier 5 is already in the closed position, as shown in Fig.1 shown on the left. It may happen that in this position, for example, an emergency situation arises and the cable car is stopped, e.g. because an object became trapped when the access barrier 5 was closed. In this case, it may be desired to open the access barrier 5 in order to remove the object and continue operation of the cable car. Previously, this was only possible manually and required the necessary skill and a relatively large amount of force. It is therefore clear that the previous mechanical forced control system significantly limits the opening of the access barrier 5 within the cable car station 1.

[0024] According to the invention, a remote-controlled actuating device 11 for actuating the access barrier 5 is therefore provided on the cable car vehicle F, wherein the actuating device 11 can be controlled by a remote control unit 12 in order to remotely open and / or close the access barrier 5 within the cable car station 1, independently of the mechanical positive control. The remote control unit 12 can, for example, be designed as a stationary remote control unit 12a, which is preferably arranged in a control room (not shown) of the cable car station 1. This allows the access barrier 5 to be controlled, for example, by the responsible operating personnel from the control room from which the cable car is controlled anyway. However, the access barrier 5 could, of course, also be actuated from outside the cable car station 1.For example, a remote control unit 12 could be provided in another cable car station 1 or in a central control center intended for the control and monitoring of several cable cars.

[0025] "Remote control" or "remotely" in this context means in particular that the access barrier 5 can be actively acted upon by means of the actuating device 11 in order to move the access barrier 5 from an open position, in which access to the cable car vehicle F is possible, to a closed position, in which access to the cable car vehicle F is blocked (or vice versa), without, for example, a member of the operating personnel having to be present on site at the access barrier 5. Alternatively or additionally, the actuating device 11 can advantageously be controlled via a (in Fig.1 not shown) portable remote control unit 12a, preferably a mobile phone or a portable computer. This can increase the flexibility of the control, because the operating personnel can open and / or close the access barrier 5 locally, independently of the control room of the cable car station 1, for example, even from outside the cable car station 1, in particular from another cable car station or from a control center. Regardless of whether a stationary or mobile remote control unit 12 is used, control signals from the remote control unit 12 can be transmitted wirelessly or by wire to the actuating device 11 of the cable car vehicle F. Wireless control could, for example, be via radio, Bluetooth or near-field communication (NFC), as in Fig.1 is indicated. A wired transmission could be achieved, for example, via sliding contacts or another suitable transmission.

[0026] The actuating device 11 preferably has a mechanical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic and / or electromechanical actuator 13 for driving the access barrier 5. For example, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, a mechanical linkage or gear, or an electric motor, which interact in a suitable manner with the access barrier 5 for opening and / or closing, would be conceivable. The actuator is preferably electrically controllable so that it can be easily controlled by the remote control unit 12.

[0027] In order to supply the actuating device 11, in particular the actuator 13, with energy, an energy accumulator 14 can be provided on the cable car vehicle F, for example. The type of energy accumulator 14 depends on the specific design of the actuator 13. In the case of a purely mechanical actuator 13, a mechanical energy accumulator, e.g. a spring accumulator, could be provided, for example. This makes it possible to create a very simple actuating device 11 which can, for example, only be used to open the access barrier 5 once, e.g. in an emergency. If the actuator 13 is a pneumatic cylinder, a pressure accumulator, for example, can be provided as the energy accumulator 14 in order to actuate the pneumatic cylinder once or multiple times. Analogously, a hydraulic pressure accumulator can be provided as the energy accumulator 14 for a hydraulic cylinder as the actuator 13.If an electromechanical actuator, for example an electric motor, in particular a servo motor or stepper motor, is used as the actuator 13, an electric battery or a capacitor can be used as the energy storage device 14.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, an energy generation unit 15 could also be provided on the cable car vehicle F, with which the actuating device 11, in particular the actuator 13, is supplied with actuating energy. For example, a mechanically driven electrical generator arranged on the cable car vehicle F could be provided as the energy generation unit 15, which is driven by the relative movement of the cable car vehicle F relative to the cable car station 1. It would be conceivable, for example, for the generator to be driven via a gear or a friction wheel, for example on the upper guide rail 4. Alternatively or additionally, a solar unit could also be provided on the cable car vehicle F as the energy generation unit 15. This would allow an electrical energy storage device 14 to be charged, for example, during the movement of the cable car vehicle F on the route outside the cable car station 1 and / or via the lighting within the cable car station 1.Alternatively or additionally, the power supply to the actuating device 11 within the cable car station could also be wired and / or wireless. A wired power supply via sliding contacts and / or wireless power transmission via induction would be conceivable, for example. Of course, any combination of the aforementioned configurations is also possible.

Claims

1. Cableway vehicle (F) for a cableway comprising at least one entry barrier (5) which is moveable within a cableway station (1) by a mechanical forced control between an opening position, which allows access to the cableway vehicle (F), and a closing position, in which access to the cableway vehicle (F) is blocked, characterized in that a remote-controlled actuating device (11) for actuating the entry barrier (5) is provided on the cableway vehicle (F) to open and / or close the entry barrier (5) within a cableway station (1) independently of the mechanical forced control using a remote control unit (12).

2. Cableway vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating device (11) has a mechanical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic and / or electromechanical actuator (13) for driving the entry barrier (5).

3. Cableway vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating device (11) is controllable via a portable remote control unit, preferably a mobile phone or a portable computer, or via a stationary remote control unit (12a) preferably arranged in a cableway station (1) of the cableway, the actuating device (11) being configured to receive control signals from the remote control unit (12) wirelessly or wired.

4. Cableway vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an energy storage device (14) and / or an energy generation unit (15) are provided on the cableway vehicle (F) for a power supply of the actuating device (11) and / or in that the power supply of the actuating device (11) is carried out wired or wirelessly within a cableway station (1).

5. Cableway vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the energy storage device (14) is configured as a mechanical or hydraulic or pneumatic or electrical energy storage device, and / or in that the wired power supply takes place via sliding contacts or in that the wireless power transfer is inductive, and / or in that an electrical generator that can be mechanically driven within the cableway station (1) and / or a solar unit are provided as the energy generation unit (15).

6. Cableway vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cableway vehicle (F) comprises a cabin, the entry barrier (5) being a door, or in that the cableway vehicle (F) comprises a chair, the entry barrier being a safety bar or a dome.

7. Cableway comprising at least one cableway station (1) and comprising at least one cableway vehicle (F) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the remote-controlled actuating device (11) of the cableway vehicle (F) is controllablw by a remote control unit (12) to open and / or close the entry barrier (5) within the cableway station (1), characterized in that a mechanical forced control for opening and / or closing the entry barrier (5) is provided in the cableway station (1) and in that the actuating device (11) is controllable by the remote control unit (12) to open and / or close the entry barrier (5) within the cableway station (1) independently of the mechanical forced control.

8. Cableway (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the remote control unit (12) is configured as a stationary remote control unit (12a), which is preferably arranged in an operating room of the cableway station (1) or in that the actuating device (11) is controllable via a portable remote control unit, preferably a mobile phone or a portable computer, wherein control signals are transmissible wirelessly or wired from remote control unit to the actuating device (11) of the cableway vehicle (F).

9. Cableway (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that an energy storage device (14) is provided on the cableway vehicle (F) for a power supply of the actuating device (11) and / or in that an energy generation unit (15) is provided on the cableway vehicle (F) and / or in that the power supply of the actuating device (11) is carried out wired or wirelessly within a cableway station (1).

10. Cableway (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the energy storage device (14) is configured as a mechanical or hydraulic or pneumatic or electrical energy storage device, and / or in that the wired power supply takes place via sliding contacts or in that the wireless power transfer is inductive, and / or in that a mechanically driven electrical generator within the cableway station (1) and / or a solar unit are provided as the energy generation unit (15) on the cableway vehicle (F).

11. Method for operating a cableway comprising at least one cableway station (1) and comprising at least one cableway vehicle (F), at least one entry barrier (5) being provided on the cableway vehicle (F), which is moveable between an opening position, which allows access to the cableway vehicle (F), and a closing position, in which access to the cableway vehicle (F) is blocked, the entry barrier (5) in the cableway station (1) being opened and / or closed using a remote-controlled actuating device (11) provided on the cableway vehicle (F), the actuating unit (11) being controlled using a remote control unit (12), characterized in that a mechanical forced control for opening and / or closing the entry barrier (5) is provided in the cableway station (1) and in that the entry barrier (5) in the cableway station (1) is opened and / or closed using the remote-controlled actuating device (11) independently of the mechanical forced control.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the entry barrier (5) is opened and / or closed using a stationary remote control unit (12a), preferably from a cableway station (1) and / or in that the actuating device (11) is opened and / or closed using a portable remote control unit, preferably a mobile phone or a portable computer, wherein control signals are transmitted wirelessly and / or wired from the remote control unit (12) to the actuating device (11) of the cableway vehicle (F).