Aerial Cableway Vehicle Coupling for Torque Smoothing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cableway transport systems experience passenger discomfort due to jerking caused by tension changes when vehicles pass pillars, and there is a need to reduce electric power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with detection means to identify when a vehicle passes a flexing pillar and control means to couple additional vehicles to the aerial cableway, smoothing torque variations and reducing power consumption by adjusting coupling frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vehicles pass over flexing pillars in the aerial cableway, then the transport function is achieved, but jerking occurs due to tension variation causing passenger discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The control system detects when a vehicle is approaching a flexing pillar and proactively couples additional vehicles to the aerial cableway before the tension variation occurs. This preliminary action creates counterbalancing weight that prevents the jerking motion caused by the pillar's flexing, thereby maintaining passenger comfort throughout the passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detection means to monitor the position of vehicles relative to flexing pillars and provides feedback to the control means. Based on this feedback, the control system dynamically adjusts the coupling of vehicles to maintain balanced tension on the aerial cableway, preventing jerking and ensuring passenger comfort during transport.
2Ease of operation
If the drive motor is sized to handle torque variations from pillar passage, then jerking is reduced, but the motor dimensions and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of oversizing the motor to handle peak torque variations, the system proactively couples additional vehicles to the aerial cableway before the vehicle passes the flexing pillar. This creates a counterbalancing effect that smooths torque delivery, allowing the use of a smaller, more energy-efficient motor while still achieving jerking reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameters of the aerial cableway by adjusting the number of coupled vehicles based on the position of vehicles relative to flexing pillars. This dynamic parameter adjustment smooths torque variations, enabling the use of a smaller drive motor with lower power consumption while maintaining comfort levels.
3Ease of operation
If multiple vehicles are coupled to counteract tension variation, then jerking is reduced, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system employs detection means that continuously monitor vehicle positions and provide feedback to the control means. This feedback mechanism enables automatic, real-time adjustment of vehicle coupling to counteract tension variations caused by pillar flexing, achieving jerking reduction through a manageable level of automated control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicles themselves as the counterbalancing mechanism rather than requiring external counterweights or complex mechanical systems. By intelligently coupling existing vehicles to the aerial cableway based on detected positions, the system achieves jerking reduction while keeping the control architecture relatively simple and self-contained.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial cableway transport installation, comprising:two vehicles each equipped with a detachable clamp to detach the vehicle from and couple the vehicle to the aerial cableway;one coupling device of the vehicles to the aerial cableway;one flexing pillar of the aerial cableway;detection means of a first vehicle coupled to the aerial cableway passing over said pillar, the detection means being configured to transmit at least one coupling signal when passing is detected; andcontrol means of said coupling device connected to the detection means and configured to command coupling of at least a second vehicle to the aerial cableway on receipt of said coupling signal.