Cable car, method for controlling a cable car, computer program product and computer-readable medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable car station (1). The cable car station (1) comprises a monitoring section (2) for transporting a cable car cabin (3) through the cable car station (1). The monitoring section (2) is divided into at least two zones (4, 5, 6, 7). The cable car station (1) comprises a zone detection device (9) arranged at the boundary (8) between a first zone (4) and a second zone (5). At least one cable car cabin positioning device (12) is formed on the cable car station (1). The cable car cabin positioning device (12) is arranged within the first zone (4) and / or within the second zone (5). The invention also relates to a cable car cabin (3), a cable car comprising at least one cable car station (1) and a cable car cabin (3), a method for controlling a cable car cabin (3), as well as a computer program product and a computer-readable medium.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable car station comprising a monitoring section, a cable car cabin, a cable car comprising a cable car station and a cable car cabin, a method for controlling a cable car cabin, a computer program product and a computer-readable medium.

[0002] Cable car stations and cable car cabins are well known in the art. In cable car stations well known in the art, the cable car cabins are monitored as they circulate around the station using zones. The cable car cabin is moved across all zones by a cable or a tire conveyor, with the tire conveyor being synchronized with the cable. All movements of the cable car cabin in the station are therefore dictated by the tire conveyor and / or the cable. The station is divided into several zones. The entry of a cable car cabin into a zone through a zone boundary is measured by the cable car station. Based on these measurements, as well as the cable speed or tire conveyor speed and time, the current position of the cable car cabin in the station can be determined.The cable car stations known from the state of the art have the disadvantage that the position on the cable car cabin can only be determined in relation to the cable speed or the tire conveying speed.

[0003] It is the object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a cable car station in which the position of an autonomously moving cable car cabin can be reliably determined.

[0004] The object is achieved by a cable car station comprising a monitoring section, a cable car cabin, a cable car comprising a cable car station and a cable car cabin, a method for controlling a cable car cabin, a computer program product and a computer-readable medium according to the independent patent claims.

[0005] In particular, the object is achieved by a cable car station comprising a monitoring section for transporting a cable car cabin through the cable car station. The monitoring section is divided into at least two zones. The cable car station comprises a zone detection device arranged at the boundary between a first zone and a second zone. Furthermore, the cable car station comprises at least one cable car cabin positioning device arranged within the first zone and / or within the second zone.

[0006] Such a cable car station has the advantage that the position of a cable car cabin can be determined closely and independently of the cable speed or tire conveyor speed.

[0007] The monitoring section extends at least partially in the direction of travel of a cable car cabin. The monitoring section may be divided into a plurality of zones. All zones may have an identical number of cable car cabin positioning devices. A zone detection device may be provided at each zone boundary. The first and last zones of a cable car station each comprise two boundaries. Thus, a zone detection device is also located at the beginning and end of the zones in a cable car station.

[0008] It is possible that the zone detection device is an active sensor. It is possible that the zone detection device is an RFID sensor.

[0009] By placing an active sensor in the cable car station, the data collected by the sensor can be advantageously processed in the cable car station. Furthermore, locating the active sensors in the cable car station simplifies maintenance of the active sensors. An RFID sensor is a sensor that is robust and can be used reliably.

[0010] An active sensor is a sensor that can capture a measured value and then process or forward it as data or a data series. It is possible for all zone detection devices in a cable car station to be identical. It is also possible for the zone detection devices in a cable car station to be differently configured. For example, one or more zone detection devices may have multiple sensors. In this case, each zone detection device has redundancy. The data from the various sensors can be compared, and incorrect measurements resulting from malfunctions or defects can be avoided or quickly detected and remedied.

[0011] It is possible that the cable car cabin positioning device is a passive positioning device. It is possible that the cable car cabin positioning device is a magnet.

[0012] Passive positioning devices have the advantage that they are resistant to external influences and are not susceptible to interference.

[0013] A passive positioning device is a device whose presence can be detected by a sensor, such as an active sensor. In particular, passive positioning devices do not require a power or data supply.

[0014] It is possible that all cable car cabin positioning devices are designed as passive positioning devices. It is possible that all cable car cabin positioning devices are designed as magnets. The magnets can be permanent magnets.

[0015] It is possible for the cable car station to include a process control system connected to the zone detection device. It is possible for the process control system to be connected to the zone detection device via a cable.

[0016] Such a process control system allows the data from the zone detection device to be processed advantageously. A wired connection between the process control system and the zone detection device ensures secure, interference-free transmission of data from the zone detection device to the process control system.

[0017] It is possible that the process control system is connected to all zone detection devices.

[0018] It is possible for a zone detection device to be formed between each two zones and for at least two cable car cabin positioning devices to be formed between each two zone detection devices.

[0019] Such an arrangement of the zone detection devices and the cable car cabin position devices enables close and accurate detection of the position of a cable car cabin.

[0020] The object of the invention is further achieved by a cable car cabin. The cable car cabin can be used to travel through a cable car station as described above. The cable car cabin comprises a cabin drive and a cable car cabin detector. The cable car cabin detector is designed to detect a cable car cabin position device.

[0021] With such a cable car cabin, a cable car station can be conveniently passed through as described above, and the cabin can also be used to detect cable car positioning devices. In addition to the cable car station detecting the cable car cabin at the zone boundaries, the cable car cabin can also detect measuring points (cable car positioning devices) of the cable car station. The cable car station and the cable car cabin thus detect each other. Thus, both the cabin and the cable car station have information about the position of the cabin, although the information is not identical.

[0022] By installing a cabin drive on or in the cable car cabin, it is possible for the cable car cabin to travel through the cable car station without any external force. This makes it possible for the cable car cabin to move through the cable car station under its own power, without any force being exerted on the cable car cabin by a cable or a tire conveyor.

[0023] The cable car cabin may include an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be an accumulator.

[0024] It is possible that the cable car cabin detector is designed as a magnetic field detector.

[0025] Then the cable car cabin detector can advantageously detect a magnetic field of a magnet.

[0026] A communication module can be installed in the cable car cabin. The communication module can communicate with the process control system of the cable car station. Data can then be exchanged between the cable car cabin and the cable car station via the communication module and the process control system. The data can be exchanged bidirectionally between the communication module and the process control system. It is possible for the data to be exchanged wirelessly between the communication module and the process control system.

[0027] The cable car cabin may include a controller. The controller may receive data from the communications module and / or the cable car cabin detector. The controller may control the cabin drive, in particular, the speed in the station and / or the engagement or disengagement of a haul rope at specific positions.

[0028] By implementing a controller, it is possible for the controller to receive a control command from the process control system via the communication module and to control the cabin drive accordingly. The cabin drive can then be controlled indirectly via the process control system. This means that the process control system can control whether the cabin drive should accelerate, decelerate, start moving, or stop. The controller can also contain predefined commands. For example, the controller can include a command for the cable car cabin to decelerate to a certain speed once a cable car positioning device has been detected. The controller can also process data from the cable car cabin detector. For example, the controller can count how often the cable car cabin detector detects a cable car cabin positioning device.It is possible for the communication module to be connected to the controller. The data from the cable car detector can then be processed by the controller and sent by the communication module. It is possible for the cable car detector and the controller to be connected via a data cable. It is also possible for the communication module and the controller to be connected via a cable. Alternatively, a wireless connection would also be possible.

[0029] The invention is further achieved by a cable car comprising at least one cable car station as described above and at least one cable car cabin as described above.

[0030] Such a cable car has essentially the same advantages as a cable car station or a cable car cabin as described above.

[0031] It is possible for a cable car to include a number of cable car cabins.

[0032] The aforementioned devices for detecting the position of the cabins allow the distances and directions / destinations of the cabins to be optimally controlled.

[0033] The object of the invention is further achieved by a method for controlling a cable car cabin. The method can be a computer-implemented method. The cable car cabin is a cable car cabin as previously described. The cable car station is a cable car station as previously described. In the method, the cable car station detects the entry of a cable car cabin into a first zone of a monitoring route using a zone detection device. The cable car cabin detects its own position within the first zone using the cable car cabin detector. It is possible for the cable car cabin to send its position to the process control system.

[0034] It is also possible for the cable car control system to send the number of cable car positioning devices detected by the cable car detector in a zone to the process control system via the communication module. The process control system can compare the actual number of cable car positioning devices detected by the cable car detector, received from the cable car communication module, with a target number stored in the process control system. If a discrepancy occurs—i.e., if the target number does not match the actual number—the process control system can send a correction signal to the cable car communication module. The cable car communication module can cause the car drive to reduce the speed of the cable car in the cable car station or to stop it completely.

[0035] Such a method enables precise and reliable determination of the position of a cable car cabin in a cable car station regardless of the speed of a cable or a tire conveyor.

[0036] It is possible that the process control system of the cable car cabin sends control information and / or sensor layout information. It is possible that the control information and / or sensor layout information include the travel speed and / or a predefined stopping point and / or an emergency stop.

[0037] Such a process step makes it possible for the cable car cabin to be advantageously controlled by the process control system and to be operated safely.

[0038] The sensor layout information may include information about the layout of the sensors of a cable car station. For example, the sensor layout information may include information about which zones are formed in a cable car station and which zone detection devices and / or which cable car positioning devices are installed at which location in the cable car station.

[0039] In the method, it is possible for the cable car station to detect the entry of the cable car cabin into a second zone using a second zone detection device. It is possible for the process control system to compare the number of cable car cabin position devices detected by the cable car cabin detector with a predetermined number.

[0040] Such a process step ensures that the position of a cable car cabin in a cable car station can be monitored and controlled in real time.

[0041] It is possible for the cable car station to detect the entry of the cable car cabin into another zone using another zone detection device, and for the process control system to compare the number of cable car cabin position devices detected by the cable car cabin detectors in the other zone with a predetermined number. This allows the additional zone to check whether the cable car cabin is located at the designated location in the cable car station. Both the device and the method can thus be expanded to include additional zones. It is also possible for a cable car station to have a switch at which the cable car cabin can turn in different directions.

[0042] It is possible for the process control system to control several cable car cabins in one cable car station so that no collisions occur.

[0043] Such a process step ensures that a cable car can be operated without collisions.

[0044] The invention is further achieved by a computer program product comprising instructions which cause the cable car to carry out the method steps as described above.

[0045] Such a computer program product has essentially the same advantages as previously described.

[0046] The invention is further achieved by a computer-readable medium on which the computer program product is stored as described above.

[0047] Such a computer-readable medium has essentially the same advantages as a method or apparatus as previously described.

[0048] The invention is explained in more detail in the following figures. They show: Figure 1A cable car station; Figure 2A cable car cabin.

[0049] The Figure 1shows a cable car station 1 with a monitoring section 2 and a process control system 15. The monitoring section 2 comprises a first zone 4, a second zone 5, a third zone 6 and a fourth zone 7. A boundary 8 is formed between each of the zones. A zone detection device 9 is formed at each of the boundaries 8 between the zones. The zone detection devices 9 are connected to the process control system 15 by a cable 11. Three cable car cabin positioning devices 12 are arranged in each of the second zone 5 and the third zone 6. The three cable car cabin positioning devices 12 thus divide both the second zone 5 and the third zone 6 into four sections each. The sections are each the same length. The first zone 4 and the fourth zone 7 are shown schematically.However, it is possible that the first zone 4 and the fourth zone 7 are identical to the second zone 5 and the third zone 6. In the . Figure 1 all zone detection devices 9 are connected to the process control system 15 via cable 11.

[0050] The Figure 2 shows a cable car cabin 3. The cable car cabin 3 has a cabin drive 16. In addition, the cable car cabin 3 has a cable car cabin detector 17, a communication module 18 and a control unit 19. The control unit 19 controls the cabin drive 16. This means that the control unit 19 can start, stop, accelerate or decelerate the cabin drive 16. The communication module 18 can transmit data wirelessly to a process control system (not shown) from the Figure 1 interchangeable. A cable car position device (not shown) from the Figure 1 detectable.

Claims

1. Cable car station (1), comprising a monitoring route (2) for transporting a cable car cabin (3) through the cable car station (1), wherein the monitoring route (2) is divided into at least two zones (4, 5, 6, 7), a zone detection device (9) arranged at the boundary (8) between a first zone (4) and a second zone (5), characterized in that at least one cable car positioning device (12) is formed, which is arranged within the first zone (4) and / or within the second zone (5).

2. Cable car station (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the zone detection device (9) is an active sensor, in particular an RFID sensor.

3. Cable car station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable car cabin positioning device (12) is a passive positioning device, in particular a magnet.

4. Cable car station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata process control system (15) is formed, which is connected to the zone detection device (9), in particular by cable.

5. Cable car station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a zone detection device (9) is formed between each two zones (4, 5, 6, 7) and at least two cable car cabin positioning devices (12) are formed between each two zone detection devices (9).

6. Cable car cabin (3) with which a cable car station (1) according to one of the preceding claims can be passed through, comprising a cabin drive (16) and a cable car cabin detector (17) which is designed such that a cable car cabin position device (12) can be detected.

7. Cable car cabin (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that the cable car detector (17) is a magnetic field detector.

8. Cable car cabin (3) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in thata communication module (18) is designed such that the communication module (18) can communicate with the process control system (15) of the cable car station (1), in particular wirelessly.

9. Cable car cabin (3) according to one of claims 6 - 8, characterized in that the cable car cabin (3) comprises a control system (19) by which data from the communication module (18) and / or from the cable car cabin detector (17) can be received and by which the cabin drive (16) can be controlled.

10. Cable car comprising at least one cable car station (1) according to one of claims 1-5 and at least one cable car cabin (3) according to one of claims 6-9.

11. Method, in particular computer-implemented method, for controlling a cable car cabin (3) according to one of claims 6-9 in a cable car station (1) according to one of claims 1-5, wherein the cable car station (1) detects the entry of a cable car cabin (3) into a first zone (4) of a monitoring route (2) by a zone detection device (9) and the cable car cabin (3) detects its own position within the first zone (4) by the cable car cabin detector (17) and sends it in particular to the process control system (15).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the process control system (15) of the cable car cabin (3) sends control information and / or sensor layout information comprising travel speed and / or a predefined stopping point and / or an emergency stop.

13. Method according to one of claims 11 - 12, characterized in thatthe cable car station (1) detects the entry of the cable car cabin (3) into a second zone (5) by a second zone detection device (9) and the process control system (15) compares the number of cable car cabin position devices (12) detected by the cable car cabin detectors (17) with a predetermined number.

14. Method according to one of claims 11-13, characterized in that the process control system (15) controls several cable car cabins (3) in a cable car station (1) so that no collisions occur.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions which cause the cable car according to claim 10 to carry out the method steps according to any one of claims 11-14.

16. A computer-readable medium on which the computer program product according to claim 15 is stored.

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