Transfer equipment for self-propelled carriages on a network similar to an elevated railway

Abstract

The invention relates to transfer equipment (50) for self-propelled carriages (1) on a network (1000) similar to an elevated railway, wherein the network (1000) has at least one track element (106, 108) and at least one intersection, reversing or end point, in the area of which the self-propelled carriage (1) can be transferred from the at least one track element (106, 108) onto an adjustably arranged support unit (25a to 25d).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a transfer device for self-propelled carriages on an elevated railway-like route network, wherein the carriages are intended in particular for the transport of persons and the route network comprises different stations that can be reached by the carriages. State of the art

[0002] US 2017 / 0313328 A1 discloses a transfer device on a track network for self-propelled vehicles with the features of the preamble of claim 1. In particular, the known document discloses, in the region of an intersection point where several track elements or track sections converge in a star shape, a support unit in the form of a switch adjustable about a vertical axis, which is designed to receive a wagon arriving from a first track element and transfer it to a second track element by aligning or rotating it. However, the known transfer device cannot be used to connect track elements of a track network that are arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, the number of track sections that can be connected by the switch is limited by design.

[0003] FR 2 964 930 A1 discloses an air transport system for the collective transport of persons, comprising vehicles running on suspension cables and stations for boarding and disembarking persons, wherein at least one of the stations located in a city has a stop for the vehicle.

[0004] JP 2010 285008 A discloses a chain conveyor system with fixed rails mounted on a floor surface and a conveyor vehicle carrying objects to be transported. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] The transfer device according to the invention on a route network for self-propelled wagons with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that, with relatively low structural outlay, any number of routes can be connected to one another by the transfer device, such that a wagon can be transferred from a first route to any second, arbitrary route by being moved. In addition, the transfer device according to the invention makes it possible to divert a wagon from the area of ​​a route for loading and unloading without the route being blocked for other wagons in the area of ​​the transfer device. For this purpose, the invention provides that the carrier unit is arranged in the area of ​​a portal-like carrier structure so as to be linearly movable, in particular parallel to the end section of the route element facing the carrier unit.To enable the carriage to be transferred from a track element of the track to the support unit, the support unit is provided with at least one profile section for a support arm of the carriage. This profile section is aligned with the track element in such a way that no vertical offset occurs when the carriage is transferred to the support unit. This also enables the carriage to be operated in such a way that it can traverse the area of ​​the portal-like support structure without performing a turning maneuver, stopping, or reducing speed.

[0006] Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the transfer device according to the invention for self-propelled cars on an elevated railway-like route network are listed in the subclaims.

[0007] A particularly simple construction of the portal-like support structure is achieved if it has a crossbeam with at least one cross member on which the support unit is movably arranged.

[0008] In a further development of the last proposal, the crossbeam is provided with two cross members, between which the carrier unit can be moved by means of roller elements arranged on the carrier unit. The use of two cross members, between which the carrier unit is arranged, has the particular advantage of providing particularly good guidance of a carriage on the carrier unit or when passing through the carrier unit.

[0009] A further, particularly preferred structural design of the support unit, which, when the carriage stops in the area of ​​the portal-like support structure, makes it possible either to move the carriage in the opposite direction of travel or to turn it around for travel, or to lower or raise the carriage to the ground surface for boarding or disembarking without additional structural measures, provides that the support unit is constructed from at least two elements: a first element that is guided in the area of ​​the crossbeam and a second element that is designed to guide the carriage. The carriage is guided in certain areas in the area of ​​a support arm of the carriage, which is arranged on the top side of the gondola of the carriage.

[0010] Depending on the requirements, it is possible in such a design that the second element can be lowered and raised relative to the first element by means of a lifting device for boarding or alighting and / or that the second element is arranged so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the first element for turning maneuvers of the vehicle.

[0011] A particularly preferred embodiment of the transfer device, in which the track sections can continue to be used by carriages, even if there is already a carriage in the area of ​​the portal-like support structure, which, for example, makes a stop for boarding or disembarking, provides that several support units are arranged in the area of ​​the support structure, which can be aligned flush with the end section of the track element if necessary.

[0012] In a further development of such a support structure with several support units, it is provided that two support units are provided in the area of ​​the support structure for the parallel travel of two carriages along two travel routes.

[0013] Such a design makes it possible to discharge or transfer a car on one route in the case of two parallel routes traversing the portal-like support structure, while the other route can continue to be operated. It is particularly preferred

[0014] that four support units are provided, wherein the two outer support units, with inner support units arranged parallel between the outer support units, are alignable with two opposite and aligned end sections of the track elements. Such a configuration with four support units makes it possible to stop a wagon or to divert a wagon from the track on each of the two parallel tracks and to complete the track with another support unit in such a way that, despite the wagon being diverted, the track can be traveled by another wagon.

[0015] Further advantages, features and units of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings.

[0016] Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a simplified plan view of a section of a route network with two parallel routes for self-propelled vehicles in the area of ​​a portal-like support structure without a representation of self-propelled vehicles, Fig. 2 a simplified side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 3 towards II-II of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 each in a front view, the support structure according to the Fig. 1 und 2 with differently designed support units for different carriages, Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 each show representations of different positions of the support units in the area of ​​the portal-like support structure to illustrate different operating modes, Fig. 8 a front view of a portal-like support structure provided with only two support units, Fig. 9 a representation of the portal-like support structure according to the Fig. 8 in plan view to illustrate a turning maneuver for a car by adjusting the two support units, Fig. 10 a representation regarding the position of four support units in the area of ​​a support structure for carrying out a turning maneuver and Fig. 11 a portal-like support structure with only one movable support unit in the area of ​​an end point of a route network. Embodiments of the invention

[0017] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0018] In the Fig. 1 bis 3 a route network 1000 for self-propelled carriages 1 is shown in some areas, in the illustrated embodiment for passenger cabins with a gondola 2 and a support arm 3 arranged on the top of the gondola 2. The route network 1000 comprises a plurality of terminal and intermediate stations, not shown in detail, in the area of ​​which, for example, boarding or disembarking from the gondola 2 or from the gondola 2 is to be made possible. In the illustrated area of ​​the route network 1000, two parallel routes 100, 102 are provided, each of which has, for example, a fixed cable 104, on which only in the Fig. 2 recognizable track elements 106, 108 in the form of rigid rails 110 projecting downwards are attached via support cables 105. The rigid rails 110 serve to guide or partially accommodate the support arm 3 of the carriage 1 and have a perpendicular to the plane of the Fig. 3 and parallel to the drawing plane of the Fig. 2 extending guide section 112, which is for example by means of Fig. 3 recognizable rollers 5, via which the propulsion of the carriage 1 also takes place at least in part.

[0019] The Fig. 1 bis 3 show the route network 1000 in the area of ​​a portal-like support structure 10. The support structure 10 serves to form a holding and transfer station for the carriages 1. For this purpose, the support structure 10 has, for example, a total of four column-like, vertically arranged supports 11 to 14, of which two supports 11, 12 and 13, 14 are arranged on opposite sides of the two tracks 100, 102 and at a distance from the cables 104. The supports 11 to 14 serve to attach a crossbeam 15, which is formed by two crossbeams 16, 18 arranged parallel and at a distance from one another. A rail-like cable shoe 19 is arranged above each of the two crossbeams 16, 18 to support the cables 104 and align the rails 110.

[0020] The two crossbeams 16, 18 each have a rail-like profile section 20 on the underside facing the ground EB, such that, for example, four support units 25a to 25d are arranged between the two profile sections 20 of the two crossbeams 16, 18, which are arranged to be longitudinally movable in the direction of the double arrow 22. The identically designed support units 25a to 25d are each movable by means of a drive (not shown in detail), with two roller elements 26, 27 of the support units 25a to 25d being supported on the respective profile section 20 of the crossbeam 16, 18. The support units 25a to 25d, together with the support structure 10, form the essential components of a transfer device 50.

[0021] The support units 25a to 25d each consist of at least two elements 28, 29. The first element 28 carries the roller elements 26, 27 and is guided in the sections 20 of the cross members 16, 18. The second element 29 comprises a profile section 30 which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of the Fig. 3 and which is designed to receive or guide the support arm 3 of the gondola 2. For this purpose, the cross section of the profile section 30 is, for example, identical to the cross section of the rail 110 or to the guide section 112.

[0022] It is essential that the two track elements 106, 108 extend with their front end sections 111 up to the support units 25a to 25d, wherein the end sections 111 are arranged in alignment with the profile section 30 when the respective support unit 25a to 25d is in a corresponding position on the cross members 16, 18. In particular, there is then no height offset between the rails 110 and the profile section 30, so that continuous travel routes 100, 102 are formed for the carriages 1, which means that the carriages 1 can traverse the area of ​​the support structure 10 without the need to stop or slow down.

[0023] The design of the carrier units 25a to 25d makes it possible to implement additional functionalities: For example, in the Fig. 3 It can be seen that, for example, a cable pull 32 of a lifting device 34 is arranged on the support unit 25a between the two elements 28, 29. The lifting device 34 makes it possible to lower the gondola 2 to the level of the ground EB for boarding or disembarking from the gondola 2 or to raise it from the ground EB. For this purpose, sleeve-like guide housings 35 are advantageously provided in the area of ​​the ground EB in order to, on the one hand, avoid a collision with objects or people located below the gondola 2 when the gondola 2 is lowered towards the ground EB, and on the other hand, to limit or avoid swaying movements of the gondola 2, for example caused by wind. The guide housings 35 are also part of enclosures and have access doors 36 through which access to the gondolas 2 is possible.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be seen in the two middle support units 25b, 25c that the two elements 28, 29 are arranged to be rotatable relative to one another in the direction of a vertical axis 38 in the direction of the rotation arrow 39 in order to be able to rotate a gondola 2 by 180° by the support units 25a to 25d in order to carry out turning maneuvers.

[0025] In addition, it is mentioned that it is preferably provided that all support units 25a to 25d have a lifting device 34 as described so far or whose elements 28, 29 are arranged so as to be rotatable relative to one another about the vertical axis 38. The rotatability of the two elements 28, 29 is in the Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment is required to move a gondola 2 between the travel routes 100, 102. This is necessary because the support arms 3 are only guided on one side or inside the guide sections 112.

[0026] In the Fig. 3 It can be seen that the support unit 25a is located to the side of the track 100 and is being raised or lowered to enable a passenger exchange. The support unit 25b, in contrast, is arranged in alignment with the track 100 or the rails 110 to allow the carriage 1, shown in dashed lines, to pass through the support structure 10. The support unit 25c is located between the two tracks 100, 102, and the support unit 25d is aligned with the track 102.

[0027] In the Fig. 4 Support units 25a to 25d are shown, the profile sections 30a or elements 29a of which have a different cross-section than the elements 29. The support arms 3a of the gondolas 2 are also designed differently. In particular, the element 29a has a centrally arranged through slot 41 that delimits two supports 42, 43 on which the support arm 3a is supported. A web-shaped section 44 of the support arm 3a traverses the through slot 41. With such a configuration, it is not necessary for the support units 25a to 25d or their elements 28, 29a and the vertical axis 38 to be arranged so as to be rotatable relative to one another in order to enable the carriages 1 to be turned between the two tracks 100, 102.

[0028] In the Fig. 5 bis 7 different positions of the carrier units 25a to 25d are shown, whereby in this case it is assumed that the carrier units 25a to 25d correspond to the embodiment according to the Fig. 4 , ie using two elements 28, 29a. In the Fig. 5 Two different positions are shown. It can be seen that the support unit 25a is pivoted outwards according to arrow 45 from a position in alignment with the travel path 100 in order to enable the gondola 2 to be lowered or raised. The support unit 25b is moved according to arrow 46 into the position aligned with the travel path 100. The lower illustration of the Fig. 5 thus corresponds to the representation of the Fig. 3 und 4 in order to enable simultaneous travel on both routes 102, 102 by gondolas 2 or car 1.

[0029] In the Fig. 6 It is shown that all carrier units 25a to 25d are moved simultaneously according to the arrows 47 from a position in which the carrier units 25a and 25d are aligned with the travel paths 102, 102, to a position in which the carrier unit 25a is aligned with the travel path 102. In this position, a transfer of a gondola 2 with a corresponding turning maneuver from the travel path 100 to the travel path 102 is thus made possible.

[0030] In the Fig. 7 It is shown how a gondola 2 performs a turning maneuver from the track 100 to the track 102. For this purpose, the two middle support units 25b, 25c are removed from the Fig. 7 upper illustration is first shifted outwards by one position so that the carrier unit 25b is aligned with the travel path 100 to accommodate a gondola 2. Subsequently, according to the lower illustration, the Fig. 7 the carrier unit 25b is aligned with the travel path 102, while the two carrier units 25c and 25d move one further position to the right.

[0031] In the Fig. 8 A modified support structure 10a is shown, in the area of ​​which only two support units 25a, 25b are arranged, which have elements 28, 29a. Such a configuration of the support structure 10a makes it possible, on the one hand, to form continuous travel routes 100, 102 for gondolas 2, and, on the other hand, to enable transferring a gondola 2 from the travel route 100 to the travel route 102 and vice versa. In this case, the respective support unit 25a, 25b is aligned with the respective other travel route 100, 102 after the gondola 2 has been picked up. During the transfer of a gondola 2, no travel operation is possible on the travel route 100, 102 from which the gondola 2 was taken over.

[0032] Such a conversion process is in the Fig. 9 shown. It can be seen here that the carrier unit 25a, which was initially aligned with the track 100 to receive a gondola 2, is then brought into alignment with the track 102 to transfer the gondola 2 to the track 102, while the carrier unit 25b is moved laterally to the right from its original position aligned with the track 102.

[0033] However, such turning maneuvers are also possible, for example, using four carrier units 25a to 25d in a carrier structure 10, as shown in the Fig. 10 is shown. For this purpose, the two middle support units 25b, 25c are initially aligned with the two tracks 100, 102. Subsequently, the support unit 25b is aligned with the track 102, while the two support units 25c, 25d move to the right. At the same time, the support unit 25a is aligned with the track 100 so that travel along the track 100 can continue.

[0034] Most recently, in the Fig. 11 a support structure 10b for forming an end or turning point is shown. In particular, it can be seen that only a single support unit 25a is present, which can be moved in the direction of arrow 48 to transfer a gondola 2 (not shown) between the tracks 100, 102 from the position, for example, aligned with the track 100 into a position aligned with the track 102.

[0035] The portal-like support structures 10, 10a, 10b described so far, as well as the carriages 1, the support units 25a to 25d, and the track network 1000, can be modified or altered in a variety of ways without deviating from the inventive concept. For example, it is conceivable to use suspension cables or similar elements instead of rigid rails 110 as track elements 106, 108 to form the tracks 100, 102 outside the support units 25a to 25d.

Claims

1. Transfer device (50) for self-propelled carriages (1) on an elevated railway-like track network (1000), wherein the track network (1000) has at least one track element (106, 108) and at least one crossing, turning or end point, wherein the transfer device (50) has an adjustably arranged carrier unit (25a to 25d) and a portal-like carrier structure (10; 10a; 10b), wherein a self-propelled carriage (1) can be transferred from the at least one track element (106, 108) to the adjustably arranged carrier unit (25a to 25d) in the region of the track network (1000), wherein the carrier unit (25a to 25d) is arranged to be linearly movable in the region of the portal-like carrier structure (10; 10a; 10b), in particular parallel to the end section (111) of the at least one stretching element (106, 108) facing the carrier unit (25a to 25d), characterised in that the carrier unit (25a to 25d) has a profile section (30; 30a) for guiding a support arm (3; 3a) of the carriage (1).

2. Transfer device according to claim 1, characterised in that in that the support structure (10; 10a; 10b) has a cross-member (15) with at least one cross-member (16, 18), on which the support unit (25a to 25d) is movably arranged.

3. Transfer device according to claim 2, characterised in that in that the cross-member (15) has two cross-members (16, 18), between which the carrier unit (25a to 25d) is displaceable by means of roller elements (26, 27) arranged on the carrier unit (25a to 25d).

4. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that in that the carrier unit (25a to 25d) is constructed from at least two elements (28, 29; 29a), a first element (28), which is guided in the region of the cross-member (15), and a second element (29; 29a), which is designed to guide the carriage (1).

5. Transfer device according to claim 4, characterised in that in that the second element (29) can be lowered and raised relative to the first element (28) by means of a lifting device (34).

6. Transfer device according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that in that the second element (29) is arranged rotatably about a vertical axis (38) relative to the first element (28).

7. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that in that a plurality of support units (25a to 25d) are arranged in the region of the support structure (10; 10a), which can be aligned as required with an end section (111) of the at least one stretching element (106, 108).

8. Transfer device according to claim 7, characterised in that in that two carrier units (25a, 25b) are provided in the region of the carrier structure (10a) for the parallel travel of two carriages (1) along two travel sections (100, 102).

9. Transfer device according to claim 7, characterised in that in that four carrier units (25a to 25d) are provided in the region of the carrier structure (10), wherein the two outer carrier units (25a, 25d) can be aligned with two travelling distances (100, 102) with inner carrier units (25b, 25c) arranged simultaneously between the outer carrier units (25a, 25d).

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