Cable Car Sheave Replacement Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for replacing sheave assemblies in cable car systems require placing old and new assemblies on the ground, which is difficult or impossible in densely built-up areas, over water, or on steep terrain.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising two connected vehicles with clamps attached to the cable, allowing the exchange vehicle to lift and lower sheave assemblies in place, providing stability and space for mounting or storing old and new assemblies without ground placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the exchange vehicle uses a single vehicle design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the load capacity and stability are insufficient for large and heavy sheave assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The exchange vehicle is divided into multiple individual vehicles (at least two) connected to each other via connecting rods and clamps. This segmentation allows each vehicle to contribute to the overall load capacity while maintaining a relatively simple individual structure, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and load capacity.
2Device complexity
If the exchange vehicle uses a single vehicle design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the space for mounting and storing assemblies is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-vehicle configuration creates distributed space across multiple units, allowing for mounting platforms and storage areas for both old and new sheave assemblies. The connecting rods between vehicles utilize the space efficiently, providing sufficient volume for assembly operations without requiring a single complex large-vehicle design.
3Ease of operation
If ground placement of sheave assemblies is required, then the replacement process is simplified, but the method becomes inapplicable in densely built-up areas, over water, or on steep terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the replacement operation from ground level to aerial level by having the exchange vehicle travel on the cable and perform sheave assembly replacement above ground. This dimensional change allows operation in environments where ground placement is impossible (over water, steep terrain, densely built-up areas) while maintaining operational simplicity through the vehicle's integrated winch and mounting systems.
4Loss of time
If the exchange vehicle travels far from the support, then more setup time is required, but the operation time for sheave assembly replacement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exchange vehicle is prepared in advance at the station with the new sheave assembly mounted on it before traveling to the support. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site assembly preparation, reducing the actual replacement time at the support location. The vehicle carries pre-positioned equipment and assemblies, so upon arrival, only the exchange operation itself is needed.
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
Enables efficient and rapid replacement of sheave assemblies 'in the air,' reducing downtime and allowing operations in challenging environments by maintaining stability and load capacity, and simplifying handling with winch equipment remaining in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
two winches with ropes with which a sheave assembly to be replaced can be lowered and a new sheave assembly lifted
Implementation Method 2
The block and tackle is actuated via the winch ropes, so that the cable car hoisting cable is lifted off the sheave assembly to be exchanged
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for replacing roller sets (15) on pylons (13) of cable cars, which device comprises a replacing vehicle (10) which can be moved along the cable (14) of the cable car and at least two winches (3, 4) having cables (8, 9) by which a roller set (15) to be replaced can be lowered and a new roller set (15) can be raised. The replacing vehicle (10) comprises at least two interconnected vehicles (1, 2, 6, 7) which by way of clamps (16 to 19) are connected to the cable (14).