MOTORIZED ZIP LINE TRANSPORT DEVICE, ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

- Motorized zip line transport device, assembly and associated transport method. - The invention relates to a transport device (1) for transporting a load (2) from a first altitude (3) to a second altitude (4) lower than the first altitude (3) by being attached to a guide line (5) and descending along it by gravity, comprising: - an electric motor (8), for raising the transport device from the second altitude to the first altitude, along said line, - a first battery (9), for powering said motor, - an electric generator comprising a rotating part and designed to recharge said first battery when said rotating part is set in rotation by the descent of the transport device from the first altitude to the second altitude. - The invention is particularly suited to zip line transport. - Figure for the abstract: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: MOTORIZED ZIP LINE TRANSPORT DEVICE, ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of transport, and more precisely to devices for transporting people or products from a high point to a low point, for example on the principle of zip line transport.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a transport device for transporting a load from a first altitude to a second altitude lower than the first altitude by being attached to a guide line and descending along the latter by gravity.

[0003] The invention further relates to a transport assembly including such a transport device as well as a guide line.

[0004] The invention also relates to a transport method comprising a step of transporting a load from a first altitude to a second altitude lower than the first altitude by a transport device, during which the transport device is attached to a guide line and descends along the latter by gravity,

[0005] In the field of transport, and more specifically recreational transport, zip line installations are particularly well known, generally installed in high-altitude acrobatic amusement parks or in leisure areas. Zip line installations are recreational devices allowing a user to descend by gravity along a cable positioned at a certain height above the ground. The user is suspended below the cable by a harness, itself attached to a trolley (or a simple pulley) rolling on the cable. The cable itself is stretched between a high point and a low point, and the trolley therefore descends during the recreational activity from the high point to the low point. The flexible cable can be replaced by a rail or a rigid tube, but the principle remains the same.

[0006] The various zip line installations have cable lengths, and therefore the length of the fun course, which vary greatly. Some zip lines are around ten meters long, while others can be several hundred. For very short zip lines, it is known to use a second cable, or abseil line, running along the first cable, and which allows the trolley to be raised when it is at the low point, simply by pulling on the second cable from the high point, until the trolley reaches the high point again. This allows the trolley to be put back in position to restart the fun activity of lowering the cart, from which another user is then suspended.

[0007] Furthermore, to reassemble the trolley from the low point to the high point, it is also known to simply unhook the trolley (generally with several other similar trolleys) from the cable when it is at the low point, and to reassemble it to the high point, for example using a car or a van.

[0008] Although these known systems for raising zip line trolleys generally fulfil their functions, they are not entirely satisfactory, and in fact have a certain number of drawbacks.

[0009] Thus, the principle of abseiling lines is, for example, only suitable for certain very short zip lines, where the user generally recalls the trolley himself by pulling on the second cable. For longer zip lines (from a few dozen meters), abseiling lines are therefore not suitable. Indeed, reassembling each trolley along the first cable would take too much time, would require a significant effort as well as significant winding of the second cable, and would prevent the use of the zip line for a significant period (a user being unable to descend while the trolley is being reassembled in the high position). In addition, abseiling lines are excluded for more complex zip lines, such as turning zip lines.

[0010] Furthermore, particularly for longer zip lines, the fact of having to unhook several trolleys from the cable when they are at the low point, then raise them to the high point, and then reattach them to the cable, generally proves to be long, tedious, complex, and a source of errors, damage to the equipment and even accidents to people. This also requires the involvement of a specialized person for a significant period of time, and generally requires the use of a vehicle as well as a significant number of trolleys (the ascent is not interesting for only a few trolleys), all of the above leading to relatively high operating costs.

[0011] Ultimately, the known systems and methods for reassembling zip line trolleys prove to be long, impractical, expensive, and restrictive to produce, while presenting a level of safety which is not optimal.

[0012] Furthermore, known zip line transport systems do not allow for fine and controlled control of the descent speed, with at best a braking capacity proportional to the speed. On these known systems, the descent conditions (and first and foremost the speed) are very sensitive to external parameters (wind, user drag), so that it is impossible to maintain the speed within a given range.

[0013] Another problem that can be encountered with known zip line transport systems is that of possible untimely stops, during descent, before reaching the arrival point. Such untimely stops can occur, for example, in the event of headwinds and / or excessive drag, particularly if the cable has a point of zero slope in the running section.

[0014] The objects assigned to the present invention consequently aim to remedy the various drawbacks listed above and to propose a new transport device which, while being particularly reliable, presents great practicality of use and in particular allows it to be easily raised quickly and at low cost from a low altitude to a high altitude, with an excellent energy balance.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to propose a new transport device which is particularly economical in terms of energy and effort.

[0016] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new transport device whose design ensures its implementation under optimal safety conditions for an object or person being transported.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to propose a new transport device whose design and principle of use allow it to be easily installed on a guide line, without requiring complex and frequent operations of hooking or unhooking the guide line.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to propose a new lightweight and compact transport device.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to propose a new transport device which only uses a reduced number of separate parts and whose installation is rapid and only requires minimal standard tools.

[0020] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new transport device whose design ensures a limited manufacturing cost.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to propose a new transport device whose maintenance is reduced, simple, rapid, and at controlled costs.

[0022] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new transport device whose design makes it possible to control the descent speed efficiently and precisely, while freeing itself from external conditions (wind or other), and thus to improve the user experience and safety by avoiding in particular excessive speed on arrival.

[0023] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new transport assembly whose design ensures easy, rapid and economical implementation, and this under optimal safety conditions.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to propose a new transport method which is easy, fast, safe and economical, while having an excellent energy balance.

[0025] The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a transport device for transporting a load from a first altitude to a second altitude lower than the first altitude by being attached to a guide line and descending along the latter by gravity, said transport device being characterized in that it comprises: - an electric motor, designed to at least raise the transport device from the second altitude to the first altitude, along said guide line, - a first battery, designed to power said electric motor, - an electric generator comprising a rotating part, said electric generator being designed to recharge said first battery when said rotating part is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device from the first altitude to the second altitude.

[0026] The objects assigned to the invention are further achieved by means of a transport assembly comprising on the one hand a guide line and on the other hand a transport device for transporting a load from a first altitude to a second altitude lower than the first altitude by being attached to said guide line and descending along the latter by gravity, said transport device being in accordance with that of the invention described above.

[0027] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a transport method comprising a step of transporting a load from a first altitude to a second altitude lower than the first altitude by a transport device, during which the transport device is attached to a guide line and descends along the latter by gravity, the method being characterized in that it further comprises at least: - an electricity generation step, during which a rotating part of an electric generator of the transport device is set into rotation under the effect of the descent of the transport device from the first altitude to the second altitude, - a step of recharging a first battery of the transport device using the electricity generated during said generation step, - a step of reassembling the transport device from the second altitude to the first altitude, along said guide line, using an electric motor powered at least by said first battery.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear and emerge in more detail on reading the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely as illustrative and non-limiting examples, in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] is a side perspective view of an exemplary transport device according to the invention, attached to a guide line.

[0030] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the same side of the device of [Fig.l] without some of its covers, to reveal its internal elements.

[0031] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the same side of the device of Figures 1 and 2 devoid of its external covers and several of its internal chassis elements.

[0032] [Fig.4] is a perspective view, from another side, of the device for transporting the figures 1 to 3, attached to the guide line.

[0033] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the same side of the device of [Fig.4] without of some of its covers, to reveal its internal elements.

[0034] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the same side of the device of Figures 4 and 5 devoid of its hoods and several of its internal chassis elements.

[0035] [Fig.7] is a schematic side view of a transport device according to the invention, which descends along a guide line from a first altitude to a second altitude while being equipped with a load (here a person) to be transported.

[0036] [Fig.8] is a schematic side view of the transport device of [Fig.7], which ascends along the guide line from the second altitude to the first altitude, without the load.

[0037] As illustrated in the figures, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a transport device 1 for transporting a load 2 from a first altitude 3 to a second altitude 4 lower than the first altitude 3 by being attached to a guide line 5 and descending along the latter by gravity. In other words, the transport device 1 is preferably designed to receive said load 2 and transport it by descending from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, the transport device 1 moving, along said guide line 5, at the same time as said load 2 and preferably according to the same movement. The first altitude 3 corresponds in particular to a first position or zone, while the second altitude 4 preferably corresponds to a second position or zone which is located both below, in the vertical plane, the first position or zone, and at a distance, in the horizontal plane, from the latter.More specifically, said second altitude 4 is advantageously not just below said first altitude 3, but also offset horizontally from the latter. Said guide line 5 advantageously extends between said first altitude 3 and said second altitude 4, and preferably has an inclination over more than half of its length, preferably over more than 80% of its length, more preferably over more than 90% of its length or even its entire length.

[0038] According to a first particular embodiment, the guide line 5 is suspended, for example from trees or any other natural or artificial structural element (rocks, masts, etc.) in a sports leisure park. According to a second particular embodiment, the guide line 5 is placed on the ground, for example in the manner of a rail. It is also conceivable that a part of the guide line 5 is placed on the ground, and that another part is suspended.

[0039] According to a particular example, preferably in combination with the first particular embodiment above, the transport device 1 is a zip line transport device, as illustrated in the figures. The transport device 1 may optionally be a zip line transport device with a turn, or a conventional zip line transport device (without a turn), long or short, preferably long. Said guide line 5 advantageously has a length greater than 10 m, preferably greater than 20 m, more preferably greater than 30 m, even more preferably greater than 50 m or even greater than 100 m.

[0040] Said load 2 is in particular a person, for example a person weighing between 15 and 150 kg. Said load 2 therefore comprises in particular at least one person to be transported from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4 by gravity, and more precisely using the own gravity of said person.

[0041] More generally, the transport device 1 is preferably designed to support the weight of said load 2 so that, when said transport device 1 is attached to said guide line 5 at said first altitude 3, it is driven downwards and more precisely towards said second altitude 4 thanks in particular to the weight of said load 2, which gives a certain kinetic energy to said transport device 1.

[0042] Said transport device 1 is, according to a variant illustrated in the figures, designed to transport said load 2 so that the latter is suspended therefrom, in particular below it. Said transport device 1 comprises, for example, one or more attachment points 6 designed to receive a means 7 for attaching the load 2 to said transport device 1. In the example illustrated in the figures, each attachment point 6 is formed by a respective orifice provided at a lower part of the transport device 1.

[0043] According to a variant, said guide line 5 is flexible, and comprises for example a cable or a rope, as illustrated in the figures. In other words, according to this last example, said guide line 5 does not have its own mechanical strength.

[0044] According to another variant, said guide line 5 is rigid, and comprises for example a rail or a tube. Thus, said guide line 5 has, according to this last example, its own mechanical strength. Such a configuration is for example suitable when the transport device 1 is a turning zip line device, but not only.

[0045] According to the invention, said transport device 1 comprises at least: - an electric motor 8, designed to at least raise the transport device 1 from the second altitude 4 to the first altitude 3, along said guide line 5, and - a first battery 9, designed to power said electric motor 8.

[0046] Preferably, said electric motor 8 and said first battery 9 are dimensioned to be able to raise the transport device 1 along said guide line 5 from said second altitude 4 to said first altitude 3 only without said load 2. Thus, the electric motor 8 in particular is preferably not designed, and for example not powerful enough, to raise the transport device 1 along the guide line 5 when the transport device 1 supports said load 2. Such a configuration makes it possible to implement a light electric motor 8 and a first battery 9 of reduced dimensions. Said first battery 9 is, as is known, advantageously designed to store electrical energy.

[0047] The electric motor 8 thus advantageously makes it possible to move the transport device 1 along the guide line 5, from the second altitude 4 (or possibly another intermediate altitude lower than the first altitude 3), towards and more advantageously up to the first altitude 3. Such a configuration allows the transport device 1 to be put back into position for a new descent without resorting to the separation of the latter and the guide line 5 or to a return line to carry out the normal reassembly of the movement device from the second altitude 4 to the first altitude 3.

[0048] Preferably, in the present description, the descent of the transport device 1 designates the movement of the latter from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, the transport device 1 preferentially supporting said load 2 during said movement, while the ascent or reassembly of the transport device 1 designates the movement of the latter from the second altitude 4 to the first altitude 3, the transport device 1 being preferentially empty, that is to say without said load 2 during said movement.

[0049] The transport device 1 advantageously comprises one or more covers 19. Each cover 19 forms in particular an external part of the transport device 1 making it possible to protect or hide internal elements of the transport device 1, for example the motor 8, and as will be seen below, the electric generator 10, the first transmission belt 14, etc.

[0050] The transport device 1 further preferably comprises one or more frame elements 20. Each frame element 20 forms in particular an internal part of the transport device 1 supporting one or more internal elements of the transport device 1, for example the motor 8, and as will be seen below, the electric generator 10, the first transmission belt 14, etc. Said frame elements 20 are in the example illustrated in the figures of the plates, for example made of metal. Said frame elements 20 are advantageously hidden (at least at most of 50%) by the covers 19, and the latter are preferably fixed to said chassis elements 20.

[0051] According to the invention, the transport device further comprises at least one electric generator 10 comprising a rotating part 11. Thus, according to the invention, said electric generator 10 is designed to recharge said first battery 9 when said rotating part 11 is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4. In other words, said rotating part 11 is advantageously designed to be rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4. In this way, it is possible to recharge at least in part said first battery 9 when said transport device 1 descends along the guide line 5, taking advantage of the fact that said load 2 drives the transport device 1 by gravity in descent towards the second altitude 4, thus producing a certain kinetic energy.The transport device 1 is therefore advantageously designed to recover at least part of the potential energy lost when it passes, loaded with said load 2, from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, and to supply this recovered energy to said generator 10 so that it produces electrical energy. The transport device 1 is therefore advantageously designed to ascend autonomously from the second altitude 4 to (and preferably up to) the first altitude 3, preferably using at least part of the energy recovered during its descent.

[0052] Preferably, the transport device 1 is designed to recover kinetic energy when it descends along said guide line 5 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, in order to rotate said rotating part 11, and thus transform said kinetic energy into electrical energy to recharge the first battery 9. Said kinetic energy is advantageously at least partly generated by gravity using the weight of said load 2, and to a lesser extent using the weight of the transport device 1, during the descent of the transport device 1.

[0053] Preferably, said first battery 9 comprises at least one supercapacitor. Indeed, the charging of the first battery 9 by the electric generator 10 is generally very rapid and intense, and requires a particularly large charging capacity over short periods, in essence the time of the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, which often lasts a few seconds to a few tens of seconds, or even a few minutes. A supercapacitor usually has higher power and energy densities than conventional batteries, for example lithium-ion batteries.

[0054] Generally, the transport device 1 is preferably designed to apply a braking force opposing its descent along the guide line 5, the application of this braking force making it possible to recover kinetic energy in order to convert it into electrical energy by the electrical generator 10.

[0055] According to a particular embodiment, the transport device 1 further comprises a second battery 12 separate from the first battery 9 and having a slower charging speed than the latter. Said second battery 12 is also designed to power said electric motor 8, in particular when said first battery 9 is discharged. Thus, said second battery 12 advantageously allows the electric motor 8 to complete the journey of the transport device 1, when the latter goes up the guide line 5 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, in the case where said first battery 9 is discharged and can therefore no longer power said electric motor 8.Optionally, the second battery 12 is designed to at least partially charge said first battery 9, and / or to absorb any excess electrical energy coming from the electrical generator 10 which cannot be recovered by said first battery 9. For example, said second battery 12 is a lithium-ion battery.

[0056] According to a first particular variant of the invention, illustrated in the figures, said electric motor 8 and said electric generator 10 are merged. Said rotating part 11 forms for example the shaft of the motor 8, or is integral with the latter. According to a second particular variant of the invention, said electric motor 8 and said electric generator 10 are distinct.

[0057] According to a particular embodiment, preferably linked to the first variant mentioned above, said rotating part 11 is also part of the motor 8 and is therefore reversible. Said rotating part 11 is therefore advantageously part, according to this latter embodiment, of both the motor 8 and the generator 10. Said rotating part 11 is therefore preferably designed to rotate in two opposite directions of rotation, one allowing the generation of electricity via said generator 10 (which preferably also forms the motor 8) when the transport device 1 descends along the guide line 5 (provided with said load 2), the other allowing the actuation of the motor 8 (which preferably also forms the generator 10) when the transport device 1 rises along the guide line 5 (empty, without said load 2). The electric motor 8 is for example a dynamo (or direct current generator).

[0058] According to a particular embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the transport device 1 comprises at least a first rolling roller 13 designed to roll along the guide line 5, said first rolling roller 13 being connected to said rotating part 11 in order to drive it in rotation in a first direction of rotation, during the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4. Thus, in particular when said rotating part 11 is part of the motor 8 and is reversible, said motor 8 is designed to rotate said rotating part 11 in a second direction of rotation when it is operating, said second direction of rotation preferably being opposite to the first direction of rotation. Said rotating part 11 is therefore connected to said first roller 13 in order to drive it in rotation, thus causing the transport device 1 to rise from the second altitude 4 to the first altitude 3. Preferably, in the first direction of rotation (of the rotating part 11 therefore), the transport device 1 descends along the guide line 5 and stores electrical energy in the first battery 9, and in the second direction of rotation, the transport device 1 rises along the guide line 5 and uses electrical energy from the first battery 9 and / or the second battery 12.Said first roller 13 is for example designed to roll on the guide line 5.

[0059] For example, the transport device comprises a first transmission belt 14 connecting said rotating part 11 and said first roller 13. Said first belt 14 makes it possible in particular to transmit the rotational movement of the rotating part 11 to the first roller 13 during the ascent of the transport device 1 along the guide line from the second altitude 4 to the first altitude 3, and the rotational movement of the first roller 13 to the rotating part 11 during the descent of the transport device 1 along the guide line 5 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4. According to another alternative, the transmission belt 14 can be replaced by a gear; the transport device 1 then comprises one or more gears connecting said rotating part 11 and said first roller 13.

[0060] Advantageously, the transport device 1 comprises a braking means 17, 18, preferably separate from the motor 8 and the generator 10, designed to limit the maximum speed of the transport device 1 when the latter descends from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4 along the guide line 5. Said braking means 17, 18 makes it possible to provide optimum safety to the transport device 1 and especially to the load transported by the latter.

[0061] According to an alternative embodiment, the transport device 1 comprises at least one second rolling roller 16 designed to roll along the guide line 5. Said second rolling roller 16 is preferably separate from said first rolling roller 13, and at a distance from the latter.

[0062] According to a particular embodiment, said braking means 17, 18 is connected to said second rolling roller 16 to limit its speed of rotation, during the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4. For example, said braking means 17, 18 comprises a rotary brake 17 and a second transmission belt 18, which connects said rotary brake 17 and said second roller 16. The braking means 17, 18 is advantageously designed to limit the rotational speed of the second roller 16 to a predetermined rotational speed.

[0063] According to a particular embodiment, not illustrated in the figures, the transport device 1 comprises at least one propeller connected to a shaft, said propeller and said shaft being designed to rotate around the same axis of rotation when the transport device 1 descends along the guide line 5, said shaft being connected to said rotating part 11 in order to drive it in rotation in a first direction of rotation, during the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4. The rotating part 11 is furthermore advantageously connected to said first roller 13 in order to drive it in rotation, thus causing the transport device 1 to rise from the second altitude 4 to the first altitude 3. The rise is advantageously carried out in such a way that the propeller does not significantly oppose the movement of the transport device 1, for example the rise is carried out at a lower speed than the descent.

[0064] Advantageously, the transport device 1 comprises a spatial detection means (not shown) designed to determine the position, displacement, speed, and / or acceleration of the transport device 1 along said guide line 5. Said spatial detection means is optionally calibrated. Advantageously, said spatial detection means comprises at least one tachometer, an accelerometer, an inclinometer, a rev counter, a dynamometer, a gyrometer, and / or a gyroscope. Optionally, the transport device 1 comprises a speed control means designed to modify the upward speed of the transport device 1 on the basis of information from the spatial detection means.

[0065] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the transport device 1 comprises a control unit (not illustrated) designed to receive information from the spatial detection means, and from a predetermined upper threshold value (derived from said information), for example a maximum speed, slow down the speed of rotation of the rotating part 11 when the latter is set in rotation under the effect of the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, thus braking said transport device 1. The control unit advantageously comprises electronic processing means suitable for controlling the rotating part 11 from input data coming from sensors or detectors.Such a configuration makes it possible to further reinforce the safety provided by the transport device 1 to said load 2, since they cannot, when descending, exceed said predetermined upper threshold value without, according to the example illustrated. in the figures, the generator 10 switches to “motor” mode and opposes the descent of the transport device 1, for example by blocking or braking said first roller 13 (or said propeller). The control unit and the speed control means may possibly be connected or combined.

[0066] Optionally, said control unit is further designed to receive information from the spatial detection means, and from a predetermined lower threshold value, for example a position, increase the rotation speed of the rotating part 11 when the latter is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, thus increasing the speed of said transport device 1. Such a configuration allows for example the transport device 1 to bring the load 2, such as a person, to the end of its descent along the guide line 5 and in particular to the level of the second altitude 4. In summary, this last optional characteristic allows the transport device 1 to complete the descent.This can be useful in the context of zip line transport, the end of the descent being sometimes tedious for some people (light weights, arrival with a slight slope, low final speed, excessive braking, etc.).

[0067] Thanks to the invention it is advantageously possible to modify and / or regulate the descent speed under the control of said control unit, for example to compensate for possible factors (headwind, drag, etc.) likely to negatively affect the speed (in the sense of slowing down or, on the contrary, accelerating). Thanks to this descent speed control, the user's experience and safety are improved: the user is in fact sure of reaching the arrival point whatever the external conditions, and there is no risk of experiencing excessively high speeds, particularly at the arrival.

[0068] The invention further relates, according to a second aspect, to a transport assembly comprising on the one hand a guide line 5 and on the other hand a transport device 1 for transporting a load 2 from a first altitude 3 to a second altitude 4 lower than the first altitude 3 by being attached to said guide line 5 and descending along the latter by gravity, said transport device 1 being in accordance with what is described above and below.

[0069] The invention further relates, according to a third aspect, to a transport method comprising a step of transporting a load from a first altitude 3 to a second altitude 4 lower than the first altitude 3 by a transport device 1, during which the transport device 1 is attached to a guide line 5 and descends along the latter by gravity. Said transport device 1 is preferably in accordance with what is described above and below. The transport method is preferably implemented using the transport device 1 (and even the transport assembly) described previously. Thus, preferably, the preceding description concerning the transport device also applies to the transport method of the invention, and vice versa.

[0070] The method further comprises at least: - an electricity generation step, during which a rotating part 11 of an electric generator 10 of the transport device 1 is set into rotation under the effect of the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, - a step of recharging a first battery 9 of the transport device 1 using the electricity generated during said generation step, - a step of reassembling the transport device 1 from the second altitude 4 to the first altitude 3, along said guide line 5, using an electric motor 8 powered at least by said first battery 9.

[0071] Advantageously, the transport method comprises a spatial detection step during which the position, displacement, speed, and / or acceleration of the transport device 1 along said guide line 5 is determined, preferably carried out using the spatial detection means. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the transport method comprises a control step during which information from the spatial detection step is transferred, and from a predetermined upper threshold value (from said information), for example a maximum speed, slowing down the rotation speed of the rotating part 11 when the latter is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device 1 from the first altitude 3 to the second altitude 4, thus braking said transport device 1. Said control step is preferably carried out using said control unit.

[0072] The transport device 1 and the transport method of the invention are thus particularly suitable for the repeated transport of a load 2, in particular a person, from a high point to a low point, under optimal safety conditions and in a particularly practical, rapid and energy-saving manner.

Claims

Claims

1. Transport device (1) for transporting a load (2) from a first altitude (3) to a second altitude (4) lower than the first altitude (3) by being attached to a guide line (5) and descending along the latter by gravity, said transport device (1) being a transport device (1) by zip line, said device (1) comprising: - an electric motor (8), designed to at least raise the transport device (1) from the second altitude (4) to the first altitude (3), along said guide line (5), - a first battery (9), designed to power said electric motor (8), - an electric generator (10) comprising a rotating part (11), said electric generator (10) being designed to recharge said first battery (9) when said rotating part (11) is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device (1) from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4);said device (1) being characterized in that it comprises spatial detection means designed to determine the position, displacement, speed and acceleration of the transport device (1) along said guide line (5).;

2. Transport device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said guide line (5) is flexible, and comprises for example a cable or a rope.

3. Transport device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide line (5) is rigid, and comprises for example a rail or a tube.

4. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electric motor (8) and said electric generator (10) are combined.

5. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electric motor (8) and said first battery (9) are dimensioned to be able to raise the transport device (1) along said guide line (5) from said second altitude (4) to said first altitude (3) only without said load (2).

6. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said load (2) is a person, for example a person weighing between 15 and 150 kg.

7. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed to recover kinetic energy when it descends along said guide line (5) from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4), in order to rotate said rotating part (11), and thus transform said kinetic energy into electrical energy to recharge the first battery (9).

8. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first battery (9) comprises a supercapacitor.

9. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a second battery (12) separate from the first battery (9) and having a slower charging speed than the latter, said second battery (12) also being designed to power said electric motor (8), in particular when said first battery (9) is discharged.

10. Transport device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second battery (12) is a lithium-ion battery.

11. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a first rolling roller (13) designed to roll along the guide line (5), said first rolling roller (13) being connected to said rotating part (11) in order to drive it in rotation in a first direction of rotation, during the descent of the transport device (1) from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4).

12. Transport device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said rotating part (11) is further part of the motor (8) and is therefore reversible, said motor (8) being designed to rotate said rotating part (11) in a second direction of rotation when it is operating, said second direction of rotation being opposite to the first direction of rotation, said rotating part (11) being connected to said first roller (13) in order to drive it in rotation, thus causing the transport device (1) to rise from the second altitude (4) to the first altitude (3).

13. Transport device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a first transmission belt (14) connecting said rotating part (11) and said first rolling roller (13).

14. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises braking means (17, 18), preferably separate from the motor (8) and the generator (10), designed to limit the maximum speed of the transport device (1) when the latter descends from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4) along the guide line (5).

15. Transport device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least one second rolling roller (16) designed to roll along the guide line (5), said braking means (17, 18) being connected to said second rolling roller (16) to limit its speed of rotation, during the descent of the transport device (1) from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4).

16. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spatial detection means comprises at least one tachometer, one accelerometer, one inclinometer, one rev counter, one dynamometer, one gyrometer, and / or one gyroscope.

17. Transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control unit designed to receive information from the spatial detection means, and from a predetermined upper threshold value, for example a maximum speed, slow down the rotation speed of the rotating part (11) when the latter is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device (1) from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4), thus braking said transport device (1).

18. Transport device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said control unit is further designed to receive information from the spatial detection means, and from a predetermined lower threshold value, for example a position, increase the rotation speed of the rotating part (11) when the latter is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device (1) from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4), thereby increasing the speed of said transport device (1).

19. Transport assembly comprising on the one hand a guide line (5) and on the other hand a transport device (1) for transporting a load (2) from a first altitude (3) to a second altitude (4) lower than the first altitude (3) by being attached to said guide line (5) and descending along the latter by gravity, said transport device (1) being in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

20. A method of transporting comprising a step of transporting a load (2) from a first altitude (3) to a second altitude (4) lower than the first altitude (3) by a transport device (1), during which the transport device (1) is attached to a guide line (5) and descends along the latter by gravity, said transport device (1) being a zip line transport device (1), the method further comprising at least: - a step of generating electricity, during which a rotating part (11) of an electric generator (10) of the transport device (1) is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device (1) from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4), - a step of recharging a first battery (9) of the transport device (1) using the electricity generated during said generation step,- a step of reassembling the transport device (1) from the second altitude (4) to the first altitude (3), along said guide line (5), using an electric motor (8) powered at least by said first battery (9) - a spatial detection step during which the position, movement, speed and acceleration of the transport device (1) along said guide line (5) is determined.,

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