System and method of controlling a ropeway and a ropeway transportation system

Abstract

A control method of a ropeway transport system, preferably an aerial one, in particular a gondola; wherein the ropeway transport system (1) comprises at least one hauling rope (2), at least one cabin (8), at least one boarding and / or disembarking station (3, 4), wherein the station (3, 4) comprises a ditch (20) dug along a predefined path (5b) internal to the station (3, 4); the control method comprising the steps of: - detecting when a user and / or object falls into said ditch by means of a detection assembly comprising at least one detection device; - if the presence of a person or object is detected in the ditch, controlling, in particular stopping and / or slowing down, the advancement of the cabins (8) and / or reporting the fall into the ditch to a ropeway transport system operator.

Description

[0001] "SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A ROPEWAY AND A ROPEWAY

[0002] TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM"

[0003] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0004] This Patent Appl ication claims priority from Italian Patent Applications No . 102024000008350 filed on April 12 , 2024 and No . 102024000024180 filed on October 29 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0005] Technical Sector

[0006] This invention relates to a system and A method of controlling a ropeway transport system . In addition, this invention relates to a ropeway transportation system, preferably aerial , comprising said control system .

[0007] State of the Art

[0008] As is well known, aerial ropeway transport systems are used in ski / mountain resort areas , where aerial ropeway transport systems are referred to as ski li fts . In any case , the aerial ropeway transport systems also find advantageous application in urban contexts where the ground transport is congested .

[0009] In known aerial ropeway transport systems , the users and / or sports equipment are transported along a predefined path by means of one or more transport units moved one after another between two terminal stations , also known as upstream and downstream stations , located at the ends of the transport system and wherein the users safely board and disembark on / from the transport units . In some cases , there are one or more intermediate stations between the upstream and downstream stations .

[0010] In addition, ropeway transport systems can also transport goods and / or construction materials .

[0011] In particular, the term "aerial" means ropeway systems wherein the transport units are moved and supported by at least one rope in a raised position above the underlying ground or in relation to any other underlying structures .

[0012] By way of example , the transport systems may be chairli fts , in which each transport unit comprises a seat for accommodating one or more users , or gondolas , in which each transport unit comprises a cabin for accommodating one or more users .

[0013] In one embodiment , the transport system comprises both one or more seats and one or more cabins ; such a ropeway transport system is also called a telemix .

[0014] The aerial ropeway transport systems currently known may be of the " s ingle-cable" type , wherein the supporting rope also performs the function of hauling rope . Otherwise , they may be of the "dual-cable" or "tri-cable" type , wherein there are , respectively, one or two supporting ropes in addition to the hauling rope .

[0015] As known, the hauling rope is sent in a loop and moved between the two terminal stations and, in the case of single- cable transport systems , the transport units comprise special devices ( for example , clamps ) for staying coupled ( clamped) to the rope at least in the section beyond the stations . In fixed-grip systems , the transport units remain attached to the hauling rope even within the stations , particularly along another predefined path within the stations . In automatic grip systems , in the terminal stations , the transport units are unhooked (unclamped) from the hauling rope to proceed at a lower speed along another predefined path so as to enable the safe disembarking and boarding of passengers , without slowing the transport units moving along the predefined path beyond the stations .

[0016] The terminal stations (upstream or downstream) are permanently overseen by an operator during the operation of the ropeway transport system . Each station operator must supervise the correct operation of the system and weather conditions in order to act on the system by slowing down the advancement speed of the transport units and / or stopping the advancement of the transport units according to the operating conditions of the system and / or the events they detect .

[0017] In particular, at the station the transport units , for example the cabins , travel along a semicircular path over a ditch that follows the same path .

[0018] During boarding and / or disembarkation of passengers into / from the cabin, it is possible for a passenger to fall into the ditch below the semicircular path of the cabin in the station .

[0019] In this case , the advancement of the cabins in the station must be stopped in order to rescue the user who has fallen into the ditch .

[0020] At present , the fall of a user into the ditch is monitored by a system operator, who monitors the boarding and / or disembarkation area preferably using one or more video cameras or even directly in person .

[0021] As an example , when a passenger falls into the ditch during boarding or disembarkation, the operator activates an emergency control that stops the advancement of the cabins in the station, to prevent harm to the passenger .

[0022] One of the drawbacks of the prior art is that the operator may not notice or notice late a user' s fall into the ditch and, consequently, may not act on the system in an appropriate or timely manner .

[0023] Another drawback is that the presence of an operator at each station entails a high system operating cost due to the hourly cost of each operator at each station of the system . Moreover, these operators are di f ficult to recruit .

[0024] Summary of the Invention

[0025] One purpose of this invention is to provide a control system of a ropeway transport system that reduces or solves at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks .

[0026] In accordance with this invention, a control system of a ropeway transport system, in particular a gondola, is provided according to one of the claims from 1 to 12 .

[0027] By means of this invention, the control system is able to detect when a user and / or obj ect falls into the ditch and to act by adj usting the advancement of the transport units , in particular by reducing the advancement speed and / or by stopping the advancement , based on any fall into the ditch detected independently or together with the intervention of an operator . Alternatively or in addition, the control system, once the fall into the ditch is detected, can alert the operator and preferably indicate an action to be taken .

[0028] By means of this invention, a control system is provided that can detect when a user and / or obj ect falls into the ditch and act to stop or slow down the system and / or alert the operator to this event by means of an audible and / or visual warning and / or by means of a message on a user interface , for example on a screen .

[0029] An additional purpose of this invention is to provide a ropeway transport system, in particular a gondola, that mitigates or overcomes at least one of the drawbacks highlighted above .

[0030] In accordance with this invention, a ropeway transport system is provided according to claim 13 .

[0031] An additional purpose of this invention is to provide a method of controlling a ropeway transport system, in particular a gondola, that mitigates at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art highlighted here . In accordance with this invention, a method for controlling a ropeway transport system is provided according to claim 14 .

[0032] With this method, it is possible to assist the operator in controlling a ropeway transport system or to make the operation of a ropeway transport system autonomous without the use of an operator or by reducing the number of operators required .

[0033] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034] Additional features and advantages of this invention are defined in the dependent claims and will be apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof , with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :

[0035] - Figure 1 is a schematic view with parts removed for clarity of a ropeway transport system produced according to this invention; and

[0036] - Figure 2 is a schematic view with parts removed for clarity of a portion of the ropeway transport system in Figure 1 ;

[0037] - Figure 3 is a schematic view with parts removed for clarity of a portion of the ropeway transport system in Figure 1 ;

[0038] - Figure 4 is a schematic view with parts removed for clarity of a portion of the ropeway transport system in Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a block diagram of a system for controlling the ropeway transport system in Figure 1 ; and

[0039] - Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view with parts removed for clarity of a portion of the ropeway transport system in Figure 1 .

[0040] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0041] With reference to Figure 1 , reference number 1 shows an aerial ropeway transport system, in particular a gondola .

[0042] In the case described and illustrated here , which does not limit this invention, the transport system 1 is a singlerope one and comprises a single rope 2 that performs the two- fold function of supporting rope and hauling rope .

[0043] In accordance with additional embodiments , not shown in the attached figures , the transport system 1 may be of the "dual-cable" and "tri-cable" type , wherein the transport system 1 also comprises one or two supporting ropes in addition to the hauling rope .

[0044] The transport system 1 comprises a first terminal station or downstream station 3 and a second terminal station or upstream station 4 . In particular, the downstream station 3 and the upstream station 4 are equipped with respective pulleys , at least one of which is motorised .

[0045] In a non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the first station 3 and / or the second station 4 may be boarding and / or disembarking stations . In particular, for example , the first station 3 may be for boarding only or for disembarkation only or for boarding and disembarkation and the second station 4 may be for boarding only or for disembarkation only or for boarding and disembarkation .

[0046] In a non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the ropeway transport system comprises one or more intermediate stations between the upstream station and the downstream station .

[0047] In a non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the ropeway transport system may comprise a single upstream or downstream station .

[0048] With reference to Figure 1 , it is possible to see a portion of the upstream station 4 , in which the rope 2 is looped by means of the two pulleys , at least one of which is driven by a drive , so as to identi fy a predefined path 5 comprising an ascending branch 6 and a descending branch 7 . The arrows A and B shown in Figure 1 indicate the forward directions of the ascending 6 and descending 7 branches .

[0049] The transport system 1 comprises at least one transport unit 8 that is configured to transport passengers along the predefined external path 5a outside the stations and a predefined internal path 5b inside ( Figure 2 ) the stations .

[0050] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the transport units 8 are clamped to the hauling rope 2 along the external path 5a to the stations and are unclamped from the hauling rope 2 along the internal path 5b to the stations 3 , 4 . In particular, when the transport units 8 enter one of the stations 3 , 4 , they are unclamped from the haul ing rope 2 and are moved forward by an auxiliary advancement system along the predefined path 5b to move the transport units 8 at a lower speed than the predefined path 5a and facilitate the boarding or disembarking of passengers . Similarly, when the transport units 8 are in the vicinity of the station exit , and after the passengers have disembarked, in the case of a disembarkation station, or boarded, in the case of a boarding station, the transport units 8 are clamped to the hauling rope 2 and leave the station 3 , 4 to be advanced by the hauling rope 2 along the predefined path 5a .

[0051] In another preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the transport units 8 are clamped to the hauling rope 2 along the external path 5a to the stations and along the internal path 5b to the stations 3 , 4 .

[0052] In accordance with a variant of this invention, not shown in the attached figures , the transport unit 8 is configured to transport obj ects and / or sports equipment .

[0053] In particular, the transport system 1 comprises multiple transport units 8 , arranged one after the other along both the ascent 6 and descent 7 branches of the predefined path 5a .

[0054] Each transport unit 8 comprises a cabin for transporting passengers along the predefined path 5 . Thus , the transport system 1 is called a gondola . In a preferred embodiment , illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 and 6 , each station 3 and 4 comprises a floor level 30 for users and a ditch 20 dug along the internal path 5b of each station 3 and 4 and located underneath the cabins , particularly in the boarding and / or disembarkation area .

[0055] With reference to Figure 5 , the transport system 1 comprises a control system 12 of the ropeway transport system 1 .

[0056] With reference to Figure 5 , the control system 12 comprises a detection assembly 13 for detecting when a user and / or obj ect falls into the ditch 20 , preferably during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from the cabin 8 ; and a processing block 15 for controlling the ropeway transport system 1 .

[0057] In a preferred embodiment , the detection unit 13 is configured to detect the presence of a person and / or a foreign obj ect within the ditch 20 .

[0058] The detection as sembly 13 compri ses at least one or more detection devices 14 .

[0059] In a preferred embodiment , the detection device 14 veri fies that no users and / or obj ects are present in the ditch 20 .

[0060] In a preferred embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises the at least one detection device 14 selected from the following group of devices : LIDAR, photocell , tripwire , position sensor, radar, photoelectric sensor, ultrasonic sensor, camera, video camera .

[0061] The detection device 14 is located inside the ditch 20 , preferably at a height from the ground relative to the base of the ditch 20 but preferably below the floor level 30 of the boarding and / or disembarkation area, to detect when a user and / or obj ect falls into the ditch 20 during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from the cabin 8 .

[0062] Thus , the detection device 14 monitors one or more areas extending into the ditch 20 located underneath the path 5b inside each station 3 , 4 .

[0063] This function is preferably activated only when a transport unit 8 enters a detection area and preferably when it is detected that a transport unit 8 is in said detection area .

[0064] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises two or more detection devices 14 of the same or di f ferent types from among the sensors of the group mentioned above , according to any combination thereof .

[0065] The detection assembly 13 is coupled in communication to the processing block 15 and is configured to send data to the processing block 15 . I f a fall , preferably complete and / or partial , of a user and / or obj ect into the ditch 20 is detected, the processing block 15 is configured to act by adj usting, in particular by stopping and / or slowing down, the advancement of the transport units 8 and / or to report the fall into the ditch 20 to an operator of the ropeway transport system 1 .

[0066] In a preferred embodiment , the detection assembly 13 is configured to detect the presence of persons within the ditch 20 .

[0067] In a preferred embodiment , the detection assembly 13 is configured to detect the presence of obj ects within the ditch 20 , in particular depending on how it is configured, it may detect ob ects that are larger than a predetermined threshold and / or obj ects that are present in certain areas and / or at certain heights in the ditch 20 .

[0068] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the detection assembly 13 sends data to the processing block 15 containing the si ze of the body detected and / or the duration of the detection, to distinguish between small and large obj ects falling into the ditch 20 , so as to act appropriately on the advancement of the transport units 8 and / or to report the fall into the ditch 20 to an operator of the ropeway transport system 1 .

[0069] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the processing block 15 is configured to receive from the detection assembly 13 the signal relating to the presence of a body and its si ze and / or duration of detection . The processing block 15 determines whether to slow down and / or stop the system based on the body ' s size and / or duration of detection . For example , i f a small obj ect falls into the ditch, the processing block 15 will receive information from the processing group 13 indicating a small body and / or the short detection duration, in which case , in a non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the processing block 15 is configured to slow down, preferably without stopping, the advancement of the cabins . This is because the presence of a small obj ect in the ditch does not pose a danger to the ropeway transport system or to users . In this embodiment , preferably i f the processing block 15 does not receive a signal from the detection assembly 13 again indicating the presence of an obj ect or a user in the ditch 20 , it returns the advancement speed of the cabins to the nominal speed .

[0070] With reference to Figures 3 and 6 , in a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the ditch 20 viewed from above has a U-shape or a semicircular one .

[0071] In one embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 , the at least one detection device 14 is a LIDAR, preferably the detection assembly 13 comprises three detection devices 14 , each of which is a LIDAR, configured to detect the fall of users and / or obj ects into the ditch 20 , preferably during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from one of the cabins 8 .

[0072] More speci fically, with reference to Figure 3 , each LIDAR 14 is arranged within the ditch 20 and defines a respective area to be monitored 14a ( also called the scan area ) , so that the three LIDARs 14 monitor the whole area of the ditch 20 .

[0073] The detection assembly 13 and, preferably, each LIDAR 14 , is configured to send the data detected to the processing block 15 and, in the event that a fall is detected, preferably complete and / or partial , of users and / or obj ects preferably during the boarding and / or disembarkation of the users , the processing block 15 is configured to act by controlling, preferably by stopping and / or slowing down, the advancement of the transport units 8 and / or by s ignalling said fall into the ditch 20 to an operator of the ropeway transport system .

[0074] With reference to Figure 6 , the ditch 20 preferably comprises a base 21 and a side surface 22 .

[0075] With reference to Figure 6 , each LIDAR 14 is preferably located within the ditch 20 , preferably at a height from the ground relative to the base 21 of the ditch 20 but preferably below the floor level 30 of the boarding and / or disembarkation area, to detect when a user and / or obj ect falls into the ditch 20 during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from the cabin 8 .

[0076] With reference to Figure 6 , the monitoring area 14a of each LIDAR 14 is preferably parallel to the base 21 and / or hori zontal . In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises three LIDARs 14 arranged along the side surface 22 and preferably at the same height with respect to the base 21 of the ditch 20 so that the monitoring areas 14a cover the whole area of the ditch 20. In one embodiment, the LIDARs can be positioned at different heights and thus the monitoring areas can define planes parallel to each other. In another embodiment, the LIDARs can be grouped into two groups and there may be four or more than four of them, preferably six, in which the LIDARs of the same group are at the same height in relation to the base 21 and the LIDARs of two different groups are arranged at a different height from each other.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment alternative to or in combination with the above, the detection assembly 13 comprises at least one radar as a detection device 14, in particular it may comprise one, two, three or more radars, defining respective detection devices 14, configured to detect the fall, preferably complete or partial, of a user and / or object into the ditch 20, during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from one of the cabins 8. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the detection assembly 13 comprises three radars allocated in place of the LIDARs of the previous embodiment.

[0078] As in the previous embodiment, each radar 14 is arranged along the side surface 22 preferably at the same height with respect to the base 21 of the ditch 20 within the ditch 20 and defines a respective area to be monitored 14a (also called the scan area) so that the radar or the two or three radars 14 cover the whole area of the ditch 20. In one embodiment , the radars can be positioned at di f ferent heights and thus there are more than one monitoring areas that define planes parallel to each other .

[0079] The detection assembly 13 and, preferably, each radar 14 , is configured to send the data detected to the processing block 15 and, in the event that a fall is detected, preferably complete and / or partial , of a user and / or obj ect , the processing block 15 is configured to act by controlling, in particular by stopping and / or slowing down, the advancement of the transport units 8 and / or by signalling the fall into the ditch 20 to an operator of the ropeway transport system .

[0080] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention or in combination with the above ones , the detection assembly 13 comprises at least one position sensor as the detection device , in particular it may comprise multiple position sensors defining respective detection devices , configured to detect the fall , preferably complete or partial , of users and / or obj ects into the ditch 20 , preferably during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from one of the cabins 8 .

[0081] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises multiple position sensors arranged along the side surface 22 , preferably aligned hori zontally along one or more rows of the side surface 22 , so as to preferably monitor the whole area of the ditch 20 and so that the monitoring area is preferably at least parallel to the base 21 and / or preferably at least hori zontal .

[0082] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention or in combination with the above ones , the detection assembly 13 comprises at least one photocell and / or photoelectric sensor as the detection device , in particular it may comprise multiple photocells and / or photoelectric sensors defining respective detection devices , conf igured to detect the fall , preferably complete or partial , of users and / or obj ects into the ditch 20 , preferably during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from one of the cabins 8 .

[0083] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises multiple photocells and / or photoelectric sensors arranged along the side surface 22 , preferably aligned in one or more hori zontal rows along the whole side surface 22 , so as to monitor the whole area of the ditch 20 and, preferably, so that the monitoring area is parallel to the base 21 and / or at least hori zontal . In one embodiment , there are more than one monitoring areas and they are parallel to each other at di f ferent heights from the base 21 .

[0084] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention or in combination with the above ones , the detection assembly 13 comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor as the detection device , in particular it may comprise multiple ultrasonic sensors defining respective detection devices , configured to detect the fall , preferably complete or partial , of users and / or obj ects into the ditch 20 , preferably during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from one of the cabins 8 .

[0085] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises multiple ultrasonic sensors arranged along the side surface 22 , preferably aligned in one or more hori zontal rows along the whole side surface 22 , so as to monitor the whole area of the ditch 20 and, preferably, so that the monitoring area is parallel to the base 21 and / or hori zontal .

[0086] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises at least one optical system comprising a camera or video camera as a detection device .

[0087] In particular, the cameras or video cameras frame the ditch 20 and, preferably, the area to be monitored 14a ( Figure 3 ) of the ditch 20 , so that they monitor the whole area of the ditch 20 . In one embodiment not illustrated, there are multiple areas to be monitored 14a parallel to each other and arranged at di f ferent heights from the base 21 .

[0088] In an optional and non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the camera is a 3D camera .

[0089] In an optional and non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the camera is an infrared camera . In an optional and non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the camera is a thermal imaging camera .

[0090] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises multiple cameras 14 ( as detection devices ) , in particular one or more cameras framing portions of the ditch 20 .

[0091] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of this invention, the detection assembly 13 is configured to capture several images of one or more than one of the monitored areas or portions thereof through at least two cameras 14 pointing at the same area or portion thereof to detect the presence of users and / or obj ects in the ditch 20 .

[0092] In particular, the detection assembly 13 comprises one or more cameras or video cameras and a processing unit that processes the images received from the cameras or video cameras , in order to detect the fall , preferably complete or partial , of users and / or obj ects into the ditch 20 .

[0093] The one or more cameras or video cameras is / are preferably arranged along the side surface 22 or on the base 21 or at the edge of the floor level 30 , so that it frames the at least one monitoring area 14a and thus monitors the whole area of the ditch 20 .

[0094] The detection assembly 13 and, preferably, each optical system, is configured to send the data detected to the processing block 15 and, in the event that a fall is detected, the processing block 15 is configured to control , in particular by stopping and / or slowing down, the advancement of the transport units 8 , and / or to signal the fall into the ditch 20 to an operator of the ropeway transport system .

[0095] In one embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 , the detection assembly 13 comprises at least one tripwire as the detection device , in particular it comprises one or more tripwires configured to detect the fall , preferably complete or partial , of users and / or obj ects into the ditch 20 , during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from one of the cabins 8 .

[0096] More speci fically, each tripwire 14 is arranged within the ditch 20 and defines a respective area to be monitored 14a ( also called the scan area ) , so that the one or more tripwires monitor the whole area of the ditch 20 .

[0097] The detection assembly 13 and, preferably, each tripwire 14 , is configured to send the data to the processing block 15 and, in the event that a fall is detected, the processing block 15 is configured to control , in particular by stopping and / or slowing down, the advancement of the transport units 8 and / or to signal the fall into the ditch 20 to an operator of the ropeway transport system .

[0098] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , each tripwire 14 is connected to the side surface 22 at a certain height from the base 21 so that the monitoring area is preferably parallel to the base 21 and / or preferably hori zontal .

[0099] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the processing block 15 is a safety PLC .

[0100] More speci fically, when it is detected that users and / or obj ects have fallen into the ditch 20 , the processing block 15 acts , autonomously, by adj usting and / or monitoring the advancement of the transport units 8 , preferably by acting on the drives or brakes of the ropeway transport system 1 , so as to increase or reduce the advancement speed and / or stop the advancement of the transport units 8 according to the fall detected .

[0101] The processing block 15 , based on the data received, preferably detects the fall and indicates via a monitoring signal to an operator that a fall has occurred . The processing block 15 preferably sends the monitoring signal to a user interface or to an audible alarm, for example a siren, and / or a visual alarm, for example a flashing signal , preferably a coloured one .

[0102] In a preferred embodiment , the control system 12 implements diagnostic functions to veri fy the proper functioning of the control system 12 itself and to ensure a safety level that is at least S IL1 .

[0103] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 is configured to detect a mal function and communicate it to the processing block 15 , which is configured to display a warning to an operator and / or to reset the detection assembly 13 .

[0104] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 is configured to detect dirt on the sensitive portion of the detection device 14 and communicate it to the process ing block 15 , which is configured to display a warning to an operator and / or to clean the detection device 14 .

[0105] In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment , the detection assembly 13 comprises a detection device 14 cleaning system, preferably a compressor that releases compressed air onto the sensitive portion of the detection device 14 .

[0106] It is , finally, apparent that variations can be made to this invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control system of a ropeway transport system, preferably an aerial one, in particular a gondola; wherein the ropeway transport system (1) comprises at least one hauling rope (2) , at least one cabin (8) , at least one boarding and / or disembarking station (3, 4) , wherein the at least one cabin (8) is advanced along a predefined path (5a) external to the at least one station (3, 4) and along a predefined path (5b) internal to the at least one station (3, 4) , wherein the at least one station (3, 4) comprises a ditch (20) dug along the internal path (5b) of the at least one station (3, 4) ; the control system (12) comprising: a processing block (15) to control the ropeway transport system (1) ;- a detection assembly (13) configured to detect when a user and / or object falls into said ditch (20) preferably during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from the cabin (8) ; wherein the detection assembly (13) comprises at least one detection device (14) selected from the group comprising: LIDAR, photocell, tripwire, position sensor, radar, photoelectric sensor, ultrasonic sensor, camera, video camera; wherein the detection assembly (13) is coupled in communication to the processing block (15) and is configured to send the data detected to the processing block (15) ; the processing block (15) being configured to control, in particular to stop and / or slow down, the advancement of thecabins (8) and / or to signal the fall into the ditch (20) to an operator of the ropeway transport system if a fall into the ditch (20) is detected.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device comprises a LIDAR (14) configured to detect when a user and / or object falls into the ditch (20) ; wherein the LIDAR (14) is configured to send the data detected to the processing block (15) and, if a fall is detected, the processing block (15) is configured to control, in particular stop and / or slow down, the advancement of the cabins ( 8 ) .

3. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detection device (14) comprises a photocell and / or a photoelectric sensor, preferably positioned in the ditch (20) , for detecting when a user and / or object falls into the ditch (20) .

4. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detection device (14) comprises a position sensor, preferably positioned in the ditch (20) , for detecting when a user and / or object falls into the ditch (20) .

5. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detection device (14) comprises a radar, preferably positioned in the ditch (20) , for detecting when a user and / or object falls into the ditch6. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detection device (14) comprises a tripwire, preferably positioned in the ditch (20) , for detecting when a user and / or object falls into the ditch (20) .

7. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detection device (14) comprises an ultrasonic sensor, preferably positioned in the ditch (20) , for detecting when a user and / or object falls into the ditch (20) .

8. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detection device (14) comprises a camera or video camera, preferably positioned in the ditch (20) , for detecting when a user and / or object falls into the ditch (20) .

9. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection assembly (13) comprising at least three detection devices (14) , arranged in said ditch (20) at different locations, preferably so as to monitor the whole area of the ditch (20) .

10. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection assembly (13) is configured to detect a malfunction and communicate it to the processing block (15) , the processing block (15) is configured to display a warning to an operator and / or to reset the detection assembly (13) .

11. The control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection assembly (13) is configured to detect dirt on the sensitive portion of the detection device (14) and communicate it to the processing block (15) , the processing block (15) is configured to display a warning to an operator and / or to clean the detection device (14) .

12. The control system of claim 11, wherein the detection assembly (13) comprises a detection device (14) cleaning system, preferably a compressor that releases compressed air onto the sensitive portion of the detection device ( 14 ) .

13. A ropeway transport system (1) comprising at least one hauling rope (2) , at least one cabin (8) , at least one boarding and / or disembarking station (3, 4) , wherein the at least one cabin (8) is advanced along an external path (5a) to the at least one station (3, 4) and along an internal path (5b) to the at least one station (3, 4) and a control system of any one of the preceding claims.

14. A control method of a ropeway transport system, preferably an aerial one, in particular a gondola; wherein the ropeway transport system (1) comprises at least one hauling rope (2) , at least one cabin (8) , at least one boarding and / or disembarking station (3, 4) , wherein the at least one cabin (8) is advanced along a predefined path (5a) external to the at least one station (3, 4) and along a predefined path (5b) internal to the at least one station(3, 4) , wherein the al least one station (3, 4) comprises a ditch (20) dug along the predefined path (5b) internal to the at least one station (3, 4) ; the control method comprising the steps of:- detecting when a user and / or object falls into said ditch (20) , preferably during boarding and / or disembarkation into / from the cabin (8) ; preferably detecting the presence of a user or an object within the ditch (20) , by means of a detection assembly (13) comprising at least one detection device (14) selected from the following: LIDAR, photocell, tripwire, position sensor, radar, photoelectric sensor, ultrasonic sensor, camera, video camera;- if a user and / or object is detected as having fallen into the ditch (20) , controlling, in particular stopping and / or slowing down, the advancement of the cabins (8) and / or report the fall to a ropeway transport system operator.

15. The control method of claim 14, wherein the at least one detection device (14) comprises a LIDAR, configured to detect a fall into the ditch preferably during boarding and / or disembarking into / from the cabin (8) ; if a fall is detected, the method comprises the step of controlling, in particular stopping and / or slowing down, the advancement of the cabins (8) and / or signalling the fall to an operator of the ropeway transport system.

16. The control method of either claim 14 or 15, comprising the step of detecting a malfunction of thedetection assembly (13) , in particular of one or more of the detection devices (14) , and displaying a warning to an operator and / or implementing a procedure for resetting the detection device (14) .

17. The control method of one of claims 14 to 16, comprising the step of detecting dirt on a sensitive portion of the detection device (14) and displaying a warning to an operator and / or implementing a procedure for cleaning the detection device (14) .

18. The control method of one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the step of cleaning the detection device (14) comprises the step of releasing compressed air onto the sensitive portion of the detection device (14) .

Images