Transportation operating equipment for fastening to a cable of a cableway installation, cableway comprising transportation operating equipment, method for damping the deflection of transportation operating equipment by means of a cableway and use of a transportation operating equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport device (1) for attachment to a cable (2) of a cableway system. The transport device (1) comprises a suspension rod (3) which has a coupling (4) with a cable receptacle (5) at its upper end, with which the suspension rod (3) can be coupled to a cable (2). The cable receptacle (5) has an opening for receiving and clamping a cable (2) with an opening center point. The transport device (1) also has a connector (6) which connects the suspension rod (3) to a cabin, wherein the connector (6) and the suspension rod (3) are connected by a joint (7). The cabin is connected to the connector (6) by a connecting device (8). The suspension rod (3) has an upper longitudinal distance (9) from the cable receptacle (5) to the joint (7). The joint (7) has a lower longitudinal distance (10) from the connecting device (8) to the joint (7).The ratio of the upper longitudinal distance (9) to the lower longitudinal distance (10) is essentially less than 3.5. The invention further relates to a cableway comprising at least one transport unit (1). The invention further relates to a method for damping the design of a transport unit (1) of a cableway. The invention further relates to the use of a transport unit (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device for attachment to a cable of a cableway, a cableway comprising at least one transport device, a method for damping the deflection of a transport device of a cableway, and the use of a transport device.

[0002] Cableway vehicles are known. For example, EP 1 640 235 A1 discloses a device for attaching a cableway vehicle to a suspension pole. In this device, the cabin is suspended from a suspension pole by two legs. Such a device has the disadvantage that the cabin can begin to vibrate above a certain speed. This can occur, for example, when the vehicle is set into vibration by gusts of wind or when the cableway vehicle has passed over a support tower and is subsequently carried by the cable again. These vibrations can intensify if the excitation frequency is essentially the same as the natural frequency and the vibrations are superimposed. Thus, vibrations can pose a danger to cableway passengers or to people in the vicinity of the cableway.Furthermore, excessive oscillation is detrimental to the comfort and subjective sense of security of cable car users. To prevent oscillations or at least keep them within certain limits, conventional cable cars can only be operated at a specific maximum speed. Adhering to this maximum speed ensures that the oscillations are not amplified and that the cable car can be operated safely. However, this maximum speed results in longer travel times and reduced transport capacity. A cable car cabin suspended by two legs is also known from AT395,965 B. US 7,490,556 B2 discloses a rotating cable car gondola.

[0003] The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to create a means of transport for attachment to a cable of a cable car which can be operated safely and comfortably at a high speed.

[0004] The task is solved by a transport device for attachment to a cable of a cableway system, a cableway comprising at least one transport device, a method for damping the deflection of a transport device of a cableway, and the use of a transport device in accordance with the independent requirements.

[0005] In particular, the problem is solved by a transport device for attachment to a cable of a cableway system with the features of claim 1.

[0006] Such a transport vehicle can be operated safely and quickly without excessive vibration. Therefore, the transport or travel time of a cable car operated with such a vehicle is very short, and passengers and / or goods can be transported extremely quickly and comfortably.

[0007] The suspension rod and connector can be made of steel. They can also be made of a different alloy. It is also possible for the suspension rod and connector to consist of multiple materials or be made of a different material altogether. The coupling with the rope receptacle can be designed so that the rope is clamped by the coupling when it is closed. When the coupling is open, the rope is not clamped. The coupling can incorporate tensioning elements such as springs, which are essentially relaxed when the coupling is closed. Opening the coupling, for example, at a cable car station, tensions the coupling springs and opens the rope receptacle. Without an external force, the coupling is thus in a closed position.

[0008] The opening for receiving and clamping a rope is preferably designed so that the center of the rope corresponds to the center of the rope receptacle. This ensures even pressure is exerted on the rope. The cabin can be equipped with seating for users. It is also possible that the cabin is designed for transporting materials. Furthermore, it is possible that the cabin is suitable for both passenger and freight transport.

[0009] The joint connecting the connector to the suspension arm may have a longitudinal axis. This longitudinal axis may be oriented essentially in the direction of travel of the vehicle. Crucially, the connector and the suspension arm must be able to move relative to each other. The joint may be equipped with bearings. These may include ball bearings, needle bearings, tapered roller bearings, or other types of bearings. The upper longitudinal distance may range from 1 to 2.5 meters. The lower longitudinal distance may range from 0.1 to 1 meter. The ratio between the upper and lower longitudinal distances is decisive.

[0010] The suspension rod and the cabin are connected by one or more dampers. The damper is then connected to the cabin at a damper base point, and the damper is connected to the suspension rod at a damper suspension point.

[0011] The damper's placement minimizes the likelihood of vibrations that could compromise user safety or comfort. Furthermore, the damper ensures that the vehicle's natural frequency differs significantly from the excitation frequency used to set it into vibration. This allows for safe and efficient operation of the vehicle.

[0012] The damper could be a hydraulic damper. It could also be a spring. It's also possible that the damper is a combination of a hydraulic damper and a spring. Other types of dampers or combinations of different damping elements are also conceivable.

[0013] In the vehicle, a first angular axis runs from the damper base point to the opening center. A second angular axis runs vertically from the damper base point when the cabin is stationary. A damper longitudinal axis runs from the damper suspension point to the damper base point. The angle between the damper longitudinal axis and the second angular axis is within a range of + / - 3° to the bisector of the angle formed by the first and second angular axes.

[0014] This arrangement of the damper results in a beneficial interaction between the damper, the cabin, and the suspension linkage. It ensures that the ratio between deceleration / damping and cabin deflection is such that the cabin does not tilt excessively, yet is also not braked too abruptly. Furthermore, this results in an advantageous force distribution within the damper and the other components. This allows the vehicle to be operated safely and quickly.

[0015] The vehicle can be designed such that the damper base point has a distance to the connecting device that is greater than the distance between the opening center and the second angular axis.

[0016] Such an arrangement of the damper ensures that the cabin of the vehicle is comfortably dampened for users, that the cabin is not braked too abruptly and that the cabin is not deflected excessively.

[0017] The distance between the damper base point and the connecting device can be at least 5 cm greater than the distance between the opening center and the second angular axis. The distance can also be at least 10 cm, 20 cm, or more than 30 cm greater.

[0018] A cabin joint can be arranged between the connector of the vehicle and the cabin.

[0019] This arrangement, featuring a cabin joint, results in advantageous interaction between the suspension rod, the connector, the cabin, and the damper. The mobility of the vehicle, facilitated by the joint, the cabin joint, and the damper, enables fast and comfortable transport. Thus, the vehicle can be moved quickly and with minimal vibration.

[0020] The cabin joint can be a conventional pivot joint or a ball joint. The joint can incorporate bearings such as needle bearings, ball bearings, or tapered roller bearings. Other types of bearings are also possible. The joint can have a joint axis, which can essentially run in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The longitudinal axis of the cabin joint can be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint itself.

[0021] The object of the invention is further solved by a cableway comprising at least one transport vehicle as described above and a cable.

[0022] Such a cable car can be operated quickly, safely and comfortably for users.

[0023] The cable car can have several vehicles.

[0024] The cable of the cable car can have a cable center point that corresponds to the opening center point.

[0025] In this way, the vehicle can be connected precisely and safely to the cable of the cable car.

[0026] The object of the invention is further achieved by a method for damping the deflection of a cable car's transport unit when entering a station. The transport unit is a transport unit as described above. The method comprises the following steps: Providing a rope leading into the station, providing a suspension rod having at its upper end a coupling with a rope receptacle with which the suspension rod is coupled to the rope, providing a connector connecting the suspension rod to a cabin, wherein the connector and the suspension rod are connected by a joint and wherein the cabin is connected to the connector by a connecting device, in particular, providing a damper connecting the suspension rod and the cabin.

[0027] During the process, the cable car is decelerated from a speed of more than 8 meters per second to less than 2 meters per second as it enters the station. The vehicle can also be decelerated from a speed of more than 9 meters per second. In particular, the vehicle is decelerated to a speed of less than 1 meter per second. Preferably, the vehicle is decoupled from the cable during the process. Such a method allows for the safe operation of a cable car and ensures that passengers can board and disembark safely and comfortably at a station and are transported quickly along the open section of the cable car. Goods can also be transported quickly and safely loaded and unloaded at the station once the vehicle has been decelerated.

[0028] The object of the invention is further solved by using a means of transport as described above for entering a station at a speed of at least 8 meters per second, in particular at least 9 meters per second, and further in particular at least 10 meters per second.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail in the following figures. These show: Figure 1: A view of a vehicle with a suspension rod, a connector and a connecting device, Figure 2: A side view of a vehicle with a suspension rod, a connector and a connecting device, Figure 3: A front view of a vehicle with a suspension rod, a connector, a connecting device and a damper, Figure 4: A schematic representation of a vehicle with a suspension rod, a connector and a connecting device.

[0030] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a vehicle 1 for attachment to a cable 2 of a cableway system. The vehicle 1 has a cable receptacle 5. The cable receptacle 5 is part of the coupling 4. The coupling 4 has two springs and two rollers with which the coupling 4 can be operated. The vehicle 1 has a suspension rod 3, a connector 6, and a connecting device 8. The suspension rod 3 is connected to the connector 6 by a joint 7. The pivot axis of the joint 7 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cable receptacle 5. The longitudinal axis of the joint 7 runs essentially in the direction of travel of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 has a damper 11. The damper 11 is connected to the suspension rod 3 at the damper pivot point 13. The damper 11 is connected to the cabin (not shown) at the damper base point 12. The damper 11 thus connects the cabin (not shown) to the suspension rod 3.The connector 6 is connected to the cabin by means of the connecting device 8. The connector 6 is connected to the connecting device 8 by a cabin joint 17. The cabin joint 17 has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint 7 and to the longitudinal axis of the cable receptacle 5 of the coupling device 4.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a side view of the vehicle 1 for attachment to a cable 2 of a cable car system Fig. 1 The vehicle 1 has a coupling 4. The coupling 4 has a cable receptacle 5. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 has a suspension rod 3 and a connector 6. The coupling 4 is connected to the connector 6 by means of the suspension rod 3. The connector 6 connects the suspension rod 3 to the connecting device 8. Reference numerals denote the same components.

[0032] The Figure 3shows a front view of the vehicle 1 for attachment to a cable 2 of a cableway system according to the Figure 1 and 2The vehicle 1 comprises a coupling 4, a suspension rod 3, a connector 6, and a connecting device 8. The suspension rod 3 connects the coupling 4 to the connector 6. The suspension rod 3 is connected to the connector 6 by a joint 7. The connector 6 connects the suspension rod 3 to the connecting device 8. The connector 6 is connected to the connecting device 8 by a cabin joint 17. The coupling device 4 has a cable receptacle 5 in which a cable 2 is arranged. The vehicle 1 also comprises a damper 11. The damper 11 is connected to the cabin at a damper base point 12. The damper 11 is connected to the suspension rod 3 at a damper suspension point 13. A first angular axis 14 extends from the base point to the opening center of the cable receptacle 5. A second angular axis 15 extends vertically from the damper base point 12.The first angular axis 14 and the second angular axis 15 intersect at the damper base point 12. An angle bisector 16 bisects the angle between the first angular axis 14 and the second angular axis 15. The damper 11 has a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the damper 11 is essentially identical to the angle bisector 16. An upper longitudinal distance 9 separates the cable receptacle 5 and the joint 7. A lower longitudinal distance 10 separates the joint 7 from the cabin joint 17 between the connecting device 8 and the connector 6. The upper longitudinal distance 9 is three times the size of the lower longitudinal distance 10.

[0033] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a vehicle 1 according to the preceding figures. The vehicle 1 has a coupling 4, a suspension rod 3, a connector 6, and a connecting device 8. The suspension rod 3 connects the coupling 4 to the connector 6. The suspension rod 3 is connected to the connector 6 by a joint 7. The connector 6 connects the suspension rod 3 to the connecting device 8. The connector 6 is connected to the connecting device 8 by a joint 17. The connecting device 8 connects the connector 6 to a cabin (not shown). The coupling 4 has a cable receptacle 5. A cable 2 is clamped in the cable receptacle 5. The cable receptacle 5 has a center point (not shown) that is identical to the center point of the cable (not shown).

[0034] A first angular axis 14 extends from the damper base point 12 to the center of the cable receptacle 5. A second angular axis 15 extends vertically from the damper base point 12. The first angular axis 14 and the second angular axis 15 intersect at the damper base point 12. The angle between the first angular axis 14 and the second angular axis 15 is bisected by an angle bisector 16. An upper longitudinal distance 9 separates the cable receptacle 5 from the joint 7. A lower longitudinal distance 10 separates the joint 7 from the cabin joint 17 between the connecting device 8 and the connector 6. Identical reference numerals denote the same components.

Claims

1. A vehicle (1) for attachment to a rope (2) of a ropeway installation, comprising - a hanger rod (3), which at its upper end has a coupling (4) with a rope grip (5), with which the hanger rod (3) can be coupled to a rope (2), wherein the rope grip (5) has an opening for receiving and clamping a rope (2) with an opening centre point, - a connector (6) that connects the hanger rod (3) to a cabin, wherein the connector (6) and the hanger rod (3) are connected by a joint (7), - and wherein the cabin is connected to the connector (6) by a connecting device (8),, wherein the hanger rod (3) of the ropeway has an upper longitudinal distance (9) from the rope grip (5) to the joint (7) and wherein the joint (7) is spaced from the connecting device (8) by a lower longitudinal distance (10), wherein the hanger rod (3) and the cabin are connected by at least one damper (11), wherein the damper (11) is connected to the cabin at a damper base point (12) and the damper (11) is connected to the hanger rod (3) at a damper hanger point (13), wherein a first angular axis (14) extends from the damper base point (12) to the opening centre point and a second angular axis (15) extends vertically from the damper base point (12) in a standstill state of the cabin and wherein a damper longitudinal axis extends from the damper hanger point (13) to the damper base point (12), characterised in that the ratio of the upper longitudinal distance (9) to the lower longitudinal distance (10) is substantially below 3.5, in particular in the range of 2.5 to 3.2, more particularly in the range of 2.7 to 3.1, wherein an angle between the damper longitudinal axis and the second angular axis (15) runs in a range of + / - 3° to the angle bisector (16) of the first angular axis (14) and the second angular axis (15).

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the damper base point (12), which connects the damper (11) to the cabin, has a distance to the connecting device (8) that is greater than a distance between the opening centre point and the second angular axis (15).

3. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cabin joint (17) is arranged between the connector (6) and the cabin.

4. A ropeway comprising at least one vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a rope (2).

5. Ropeway according to claim 4, characterised in that the rope (2) has a rope centre point which corresponds to the opening centre point.

6. A method for damping the deflection of a vehicle (1) of a ropeway according to any one of claims 1 to 3, during entry into a station, comprising the following steps: - providing a rope (2) which leads into the station, - providing a hanger rod (3), which at its upper end has a coupling (4) with a rope grip (5), with which the hanger rod (3) is coupled to the rope (2), - providing a connector (6) that connects the hanger rod (3) to a cabin, wherein the connector (6) and the hanger rod (3) are connected by a joint (7) and wherein the cabin is connected to the connector (6) by a connecting device (8), - providing a damper (11) that connects the hanger rod (3) and the cabin, characterised in that the vehicle (1) is decelerated upon station entry from a speed of more than 8 metres per second, in particular more than 9 metres per second, to a speed of less than 2 metres per second, in particular less than 1 metre per second, and is in particular uncoupled from the rope (2).

7. Use of a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for entry into a station at a speed of at least 8 metres per second, in particular at least 9 metres per second, more particularly of at least 10 metres per second.

Images