Cableway Station Continuous Conveyor for Compact Level Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cableway stations require significant space and disrupt transport efficiency due to bulky vertical conveyor wheels and require passengers to navigate stairs or elevators for level changes, leading to reduced comfort and throughput.
Innovation Solution
A continuous conveyor system with a conveyor track fixed relative to the station, using a carrying element to transport cableway vehicles between levels without interruption, arranged at a transverse angle to the gravity plane, allowing seamless movement and reduced spatial requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If vertical conveyor wheels are used to connect levels, then level connection is achieved, but space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor track is arranged to run at least in sections along a transverse direction transverse to a gravity plane, which is spanned in the transfer point by a gravity direction and the station conveyor direction. This three-dimensional spatial arrangement allows the conveyor to connect levels while minimizing the footprint area occupied by the conveyor structure.
2Productivity
If cableway stations are brought to a standstill for conveyor transfer, then level transfer is achieved, but throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying element is designed to grab a cableway vehicle moved in the first station level by the station conveyor along the station conveyor track at a transfer point of the station conveyor track and to carry it along the conveyor track to the second station level. This continuous grabbing and carrying mechanism eliminates the need for the cableway station to come to a standstill, maintaining continuous vehicle flow and maximizing throughput.
3Ease of operation
If boarding and disembarking areas are located on upper level, then terrain is preserved for other uses, but passenger comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous conveyor system with carrying elements acts as an intermediary transport mechanism between the lower level (where terrain is preserved) and the upper level (where boarding and disembarking areas are located). This intermediary system eliminates the need for passengers to use stairs, elevators, or ramps, thereby maintaining passenger comfort while preserving terrain for other uses.
Data Source
AI summary
A cableway station with small spatial requirements that includes boarding and disembarking areas for passengers, a first station level and a second station level. The first station level includes a station conveyor and a continuous conveyor. The continuous conveyor has a conveyor track connecting the station levels, at least one carrying element, and a conveyor for continuously moving the at least one carrying element along the conveyor track. The at least one carrying element is designed to grab a cableway vehicle moved in the first station level by the station conveyor at a transfer point of the station conveyor track and to carry the cableway vehicle to the second station level. The conveyor track at least in sections runs transversely to a gravity plane that includes a gravity direction of gravity acting on the cableway vehicle at the transfer point and the station conveyor direction at the transfer point.