Cableway Closure Lock Monitoring via Powerline Busbars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cableway vehicle locking systems face challenges in ensuring failsafe electrical locking monitoring due to non-failsafe transmission channels, leading to potential unsafe vehicle departures without proper closure device locking, and existing solutions like RFID are complex and prone to environmental interference.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing powerline communication through existing electrical lines in cableways for locking status transmission, employing busbars and powerline modems to ensure reliable detection and prevention of vehicle departure in case of defective locking, with energy supply via busbars and small electrical buffers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical contacts and cableway controller are made failsafe with redundant contacts and failsafe controller, then locking monitoring reliability is improved, but transmission channel between contacts and controller remains non-failsafe allowing faulty locking status transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation unit that receives signals from multiple electrical contacts and performs logical evaluation before transmitting the locking status. This intermediary layer ensures that even if individual contacts or transmission channels fail, the final transmitted status accurately reflects the actual locking state, as the evaluation unit cross-checks multiple signals and only transmits when all indicate proper locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit performs preliminary evaluation of the locking status before transmission to the cableway controller. By evaluating the locking status in advance and only transmitting when properly locked, the system prevents faulty information from reaching the controller, thereby maintaining transmission accuracy without requiring the transmission channel itself to be failsafe.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical lock mechanisms with roller levers are used for locking monitoring, then locking status detection is achieved, but the system becomes mechanically elaborate, sensitive to adjustments, and prone to unintentional faulty operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical roller lever system with an electrical monitoring system using electrical contacts and an evaluation unit. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity, adjustment sensitivity, and unintentional operation problems of the mechanical system while maintaining accurate locking status detection through electrical signal evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contacts and evaluation unit form a self-contained monitoring system that automatically detects and evaluates locking status without requiring mechanical adjustment or manual intervention. The system serves itself by using electrical signals inherent in the locking mechanism rather than requiring separate mechanical sensing components.
3Reliability
If operating personnel manually check and acknowledge error messages for faulty locking, then vehicle departure prevention is attempted, but personnel mistakes can lead to vehicle departure without proper locking
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit provides automatic feedback to the cableway controller about the locking status, eliminating the need for manual checking by operating personnel. The system continuously monitors and communicates the actual locking state, allowing the controller to automatically prevent vehicle departure when locking is improper, thereby removing human error from the safety chain while simplifying operational procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If RFID transponders and radio channels are used for locking status transmission, then wireless communication is achieved, but the system becomes more laborious and complex, and is sensitive to harsh ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing electrical infrastructure (power lines and busbars) already present in the cableway system for signal transmission, eliminating the need for separate wireless communication devices like RFID transponders and radio channels. This self-service approach leverages existing components to achieve transmission functionality while reducing overall system complexity and eliminating sensitivity to ambient radio frequency conditions.
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
Ensures reliable and failsafe locking monitoring by preventing vehicle departure without proper closure, using existing infrastructure with minimal additional components and cost, reducing complexity and environmental vulnerabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The locking status is sent using a powerline communication from the vehicle to the station
Data Source
AI summary
For reliable, failsafe monitoring of the locking of a closure device of a vehicle of a cableway is disclosed in which provision is made for an electrical connection to be established between a vehicle powerline modem on the vehicle and a station powerline modem, which is connected to the cableway controller, via a busbar in the station, with which contact is made by a current collector of the vehicle, and for the locking status of a locking unit to be transmitted from the vehicle to the cableway controller via this connection by means of powerline communication, wherein, in the event of defective locking, the vehicle is stopped in the region of a busbar in the station and the locking status is transmitted to the cableway controller again when the vehicle is at a standstill.