Cable Transportation Shoe with Segmented Tunnel for Wind Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable transportation systems face derailment risks due to strong crosswinds, as existing shoe designs fail to adequately secure the carrying cable, leading to instability and potential derailment.

Innovation Solution

A shoe design with a tunnel section for the carrying cable, featuring an open section upstream and downstream of a closed section with ventilation and drainage holes, maintains the cable's stability by allowing gradual rolling transitions without sharp deviations, ensuring the cable remains secured and free to move longitudinally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the carrying cable is exposed above the seat of the shoe, then the cable is free to move longitudinally and compensate for operational deviations, but the cable becomes vulnerable to crosswinds causing horizontal displacement and derailment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable movement freedomVSAvoidwind exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seat of the shoe is divided into two distinct sections: an open upstream section that allows cable movement and compensation for operational deviations, and a closed downstream section that protects the cable from crosswinds. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously achieve cable adaptability and wind protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the seat are given different structural qualities - the upstream section remains open to allow cable movement, while the downstream section is closed to protect against winds. This local differentiation of structural properties resolves the contradiction between needing cable freedom and protecting from wind exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a closed cover is placed over the entire seat to protect the cable from winds, then the cable is secured against crosswinds, but the cable cannot move longitudinally to accommodate operational deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind protectionVSAvoidcable movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The seat is segmented into open and closed sections along the cable's path. The closed section provides wind protection where needed, while the open section maintains cable movement freedom for operational compensation. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction between protection and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of closing the entire seat and then providing movement mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by leaving portions open and only closing specific sections where wind protection is critical, thereby maintaining natural cable movement freedom while providing targeted protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the carrying cable is completely exposed, then the structure is simple and maintenance is easy, but the cable is vulnerable to derailment under strong crosswinds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshoe structure simplicityVSAvoidcable stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe structure is segmented with only the necessary downstream section closed while the upstream section remains open. This minimal segmentation provides adequate protection against derailment without significantly increasing overall structural complexity, maintaining ease of maintenance while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closed section acts as an intermediary protective structure between the cable and crosswinds, providing just enough protection to prevent derailment while maintaining overall structural simplicity and not requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the carrying cable is fully enclosed in a tunnel, then the cable is protected from winds, but ventilation and drainage become problematic and inspection access is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind protectionVSAvoidventilation and drainage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosed tunnel structure is segmented with the upstream section remaining open, eliminating ventilation and drainage problems for that portion. The closed downstream section only requires minimal ventilation openings, significantly simplifying manufacturing while maintaining wind protection where most critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fully enclosing the cable path, the invention applies partial enclosure only to the downstream section where wind protection is most critical. This partial action avoids the excessive complexity of full enclosure while providing adequate protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3254921B1Shoe for a cable transportation system with at least one carrying cable

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 LEITNER SPA VIPITENO

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AI summary

Shoe (1) for a cable transportation system (3) with at least one carrying cable (2) and one traction cable (4), the shoe (1) comprising a seat (7) for housing at least a portion of the carrying cable (2); and a cover (12) closing above at least a section (9) of the seat (7) for forming a closed section (9).