Elastically Mounted Idler Roller for Cable Car Haul Rope Drive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cable car systems experience increased wear on support rollers and vibrations/shocks in the station due to the rigid mounting of idler pulleys, which are caused by vertical movements of the hoisting rope, leading to structural reinforcement needs and potential faulty couplings.
Innovation Solution
The control tires are driven by a drive belt laid over at least two idler rollers, which are elastically mounted on a rigidly attached trunnion, ensuring slip-free transmission and reducing vibrations and shocks by using an elastic sleeve between the support bearing and support ring for the hoisting cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the idler pulley is rigidly mounted on a fixed axle to maintain hoisting rope height, then coupling reliability is improved, but wear on the support roller increases and vibrations are transmitted to the supporting structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigidly fixed axle with an elastically mounted axle system. The axle is now capable of dynamic movement through elastic deformation of the mounting elements (such as rubber elements or spring elements), allowing the system to adapt to vibrations and height variations while maintaining reliable coupling. This dynamic mounting enables the support roller to absorb shocks and reduce wear without compromising the stability needed for proper coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces elastic mounting elements (rubber elements or spring elements) as intermediaries between the axle and the supporting structure. These intermediary elements serve as vibration isolators and shock absorbers, preventing direct transmission of vibrations from the hoisting rope to the supporting structure while maintaining the positional stability required for reliable coupling operations.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the support roller is elastically mounted to reduce vibrations, then wear is reduced and structural reinforcement is minimized, but faulty couplings may occur due to height variations
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic mounting creates a dynamic system that can adapt to height variations through controlled elastic deformation. The axle can move vertically within elastic limits, absorbing height variations without causing faulty couplings, while still maintaining stable operation during the coupling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic mounting elements provide beforehand cushioning by pre-absorbing vibrations and height variations before they can cause damage or faulty couplings. The elastic elements are designed to accommodate expected variations in hoisting rope position, cushioning the system against shocks and preventing excessive wear before they occur.
3Device complexity
If the axle is rigidly attached to the supporting structure, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the supporting structure must be reinforced to handle vibrations and shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic mounting elements serve as intermediary components between the axle and the supporting structure. These intermediaries absorb and isolate vibrations, allowing the use of lighter, less reinforced supporting structures while maintaining system integrity. The elastic elements protect the supporting structure from direct vibration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the mounting system by introducing elasticity. Instead of a rigid connection with high strength requirements, the system uses elastic elements with appropriate stiffness characteristics that reduce vibration transmission while maintaining sufficient structural support, thereby reducing the strength requirements for the supporting structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces wear on support rollers and minimizes vibrations and shocks transmitted to the supporting structure, maintaining the height of the hoisting rope and preventing faulty couplings while ensuring a slip-free drive.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic mounting of this idler roller prevents vibrations and impacts from being introduced into the supporting structure due to the longitudinal movement of the hoisting rope
Implementation Method 2
an elastic sleeve is placed on the supporting pin fastened to the supporting structure
Implementation Method 3
The extensive wrapping around the driven control tire also ensures slip-free transmission of the drive
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Cableway system with a haul rope (20) which is guided over a deflection pulley (2) at each of the two end stations of the system, and with vehicles (3) that can be coupled to the haul rope (20) and which are equipped with a clamping device and a carriage (31), wherein they are coupled to the haul rope (20) along the route and are guided through guide rails (4) in the stations by means of the carriages (31), whereby they are boarded and alighted by passengers, wherein the movement of the vehicles (3) in the stations is effected by means of control tires (51, 52, 53) coupled to each other by means of gears, and wherein the drive of the control tires (51, 52, 53) is effected by at least one support roller (6a) for the haul rope (20) located in the respective station.In this arrangement, at least one of the support rollers (6a) for the conveyor rope (20), via which the drive of the control tires (51, 52, 53) is derived from the conveyor rope (20) by means of at least one drive belt, is elastically mounted on a rigidly fixed axle. (FIG.1).