Cableway Station Continuous Conveyor for Small-Footprint Level Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable car stations require significant space for vertical haul wheels and necessitate stopping for level transitions, leading to reduced throughput and passenger discomfort due to braking and acceleration processes.
Innovation Solution
A continuous conveyor system with a fixed conveyor section and carrying elements that moves cable cars between levels in a transverse direction perpendicular to the gravity plane, allowing seamless transport without interruptions and minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vertical haul wheels are used to connect different station levels, then cable car vehicles can be transported between levels, but the station requires significant space and the vehicles must stop for level transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical haul wheels operating in a vertical plane to a continuous conveyor system that operates in a transverse direction perpendicular to the gravity plane. This dimensional change allows the conveyor to connect station levels with a smaller footprint while maintaining continuous vehicle transport without stops
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous conveyor system enables uninterrupted transport of cable car vehicles between station levels, eliminating the stopping and starting required by vertical haul wheel systems. The conveyor continuously moves vehicles along the conveyor section, maintaining constant motion and improving throughput
2Ease of operation
If cable car vehicles stop at station levels for level transitions, then passengers can board and disembark, but throughput is reduced and passenger comfort decreases due to braking and acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous conveyor system maintains constant motion of cable car vehicles between station levels, eliminating braking and acceleration cycles. This continuous action improves both passenger comfort by avoiding abrupt stops and starts, and throughput by maintaining uninterrupted vehicle flow
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the transport direction to transverse (perpendicular to gravity plane) rather than vertical, the system allows vehicles to be transported between levels without stopping, as the conveyor section is configured to move vehicles continuously along a path that connects different elevation levels
3Area of stationary object
If conventional two-story station layout is used with boarding areas on upper level, then land surrounding the station can be used for other purposes, but passengers experience discomfort due to stairs, elevators, or ramps required for access
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous conveyor system configured at transverse direction creates a space-saving solution that allows the station building to maintain its two-story layout for land use flexibility, while the conveyor provides comfortable vehicle access between levels without requiring passengers to use stairs, elevators, or ramps
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a cable car station (S1) with a small footprint and easily accessible boarding and alighting zones for passengers, a first station level (E1), a second station level (E2), and, in the first station level (E1), a station conveyor (5) and a continuous conveyor (SF) are provided, the continuous conveyor (SF) having a conveyor section (FS) for connecting the station levels (E1, E2), at least one carrying element (M), and a conveying means for continuously moving the at least one carrying element (M) along the conveyor section (FS), wherein the at least one carrying element (M) is designed to capture a cable car vehicle (2) moved in the first station level (E1) by means of the station conveyor (3) at a transfer point (UP) of the station conveyor section (5S) and to carry it to the second station level (E2), wherein the conveyor section (FS) runs at least partially transversely to a The gravity plane (SE) runs,which is spanned at the transfer point (UP) by a gravity direction (GR) of the gravity force acting on the cable car (2) and the station conveyor direction (SR) at the transfer point (UP).