Cable Car Energy Control Under Variable Passenger Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable car systems face inefficiencies in energy consumption, with existing technologies lacking the ability to dynamically manage and reduce energy usage based on demand, leading to potential overconsumption and increased costs, especially in scenarios with varying passenger loads.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cable car control unit that determines and regulates electrical energy consumption by using energy determination units to measure power usage and adjust consumer loads, such as conveyor speed and heating, based on real-time passenger data and prioritization values, ensuring that energy consumption does not exceed predetermined maximum values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If cable cars operate with constant conveyor speed and fixed electrical power for all consumers, then operational simplicity is maintained, but energy consumption increases and cannot be optimized based on demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed, constant conveyor speed and electrical power to variable, dynamically adjustable parameters. The control unit receives signals about passenger load and automatically adjusts the conveyor speed and electrical power consumption accordingly, allowing the system to adapt its energy usage to actual demand conditions rather than operating at constant levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensors detect passenger load conditions and convey this information to the control unit. The control unit then uses this feedback information to adjust electrical power consumption and conveyor speed, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously optimizes energy usage based on real-time operational conditions.
2Productivity
If manual adjustment of conveyor speed is performed by operating personnel, then safety responses to emergencies are possible, but operational efficiency decreases and energy optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the cable car system to automatically monitor its own operational conditions through sensors, assess passenger load requirements, and adjust its electrical power consumption and conveyor speed without human intervention. The control unit autonomously makes decisions about energy optimization based on detected conditions, allowing the system to serve itself in terms of operational optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment by operating personnel with an automated electronic control system. Instead of operators physically adjusting conveyor speed or switching electrical consumers on/off, sensors and control units electronically detect conditions and automatically regulate power consumption, substituting human mechanical operations with automated electronic control.
3Loss of energy
If all electrical consumers are operated at constant electrical power, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy waste occurs when passenger load is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively activating or deactivating electrical consumers based on actual passenger load requirements. Instead of operating all consumers at constant power, the control unit determines which consumers should be active and at what power levels, allowing partial operation of the electrical system to match demand and avoid energy waste from unnecessary consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable car and a cable car network with cable car stations and cable car vehicles movable with a haulage rope between the cable car stations includes a cable car control unit for controlling the cable car, wherein a maximum electrical energy consumption of the cable car is predetermined; an energy detection unit configured for determining an electrical energy consumption of the cable car; and wherein the cable car control unit is configured to control or regulate an electrical energy consumption of at least one electrical consumer of the cable car based at least in part on the determined electrical energy consumption of the cable car such that the maximum electrical energy consumption predetermined for the cable car is not exceeded. Associated methods of operating a cable car or cable car network are also disclosed.