Damped Roller Cable Guide for Ski Lift Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical lift installations with pendulum-based systems for guiding aerial carrier-tractor cables require extensive dismantling for maintenance and repairs, leading to high costs and intervention time.
Innovation Solution
A support and guide device featuring a beam with inverted U cross-section and symmetrically positioned leaf springs for damping, allowing rollers to pivot and adapt to cable deflection, reducing the need for full system dismantling by enabling individual module inspection and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pendulum-based roller systems are used to guide the aerial carrier-tractor cable, then the rollers can follow the cable path with even load distribution, but the entire pendulum system must be dismantled for any breakdown or overhaul, resulting in significant installation, repair and maintenance costs and long intervention time
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional integrated pendulum system is segmented into independent elementary modules, each comprising a roller, damping link, and return means. Each module can be individually accessed, inspected, and replaced without dismantling the entire system, thereby maintaining cable guidance reliability while dramatically improving maintenance accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The roller with its damping and return means is extracted as a separate elementary module from the traditional pendulum system. This extracted module can be independently removed and replaced, eliminating the need to dismantle the entire pendulum structure for maintenance while preserving the cable following capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pendulum systems with multiple interconnected rockers are used, then the rollers can adapt to cable deflection, but the complex interconnected structure requires significant tools and lifting means for assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-rocker pendulum structure is segmented into simple elementary modules, each with a single roller and independent damping link. This segmentation maintains the adaptability to cable deflection through individual module articulation while dramatically reducing device complexity and the tools/lifting means required for assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Each elementary module incorporates a damping link with leaf springs that provides dynamic adaptation to cable deflection. The articulated connection allows each module to independently adjust to cable position changes, maintaining system adaptability while simplifying the overall structure compared to traditional interconnected rockers
3Stability of the object's composition
If standardized pendulum arrangements are used for roller support, then the rollers can be evenly distributed along the cable path, but the installation and maintenance require significant time and specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The roller support system is divided into standardized elementary modules that can be independently installed and maintained. Each module maintains even load distribution through its articulated damping connection, while the modular design allows quick replacement without specialized equipment, significantly reducing intervention time
Solution Approach 2:
The elementary modules are designed as replaceable units that can be quickly removed and replaced during maintenance. Defective modules can be discarded and replaced with new or refurbished modules, maintaining even roller load distribution while minimizing intervention time and eliminating the need for complex dismantling procedures
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
This solution simplifies installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting by allowing for quick inspection and replacement of defective modules, significantly reducing intervention time and maintenance costs compared to traditional pendulum systems.
Implementation Method 1
The damping link of each module comprises a pair of leaf springs located symmetrically on either side of the roller
Implementation Method 2
The intermediate part of each leaf spring bears on a second fixed axis, which is parallel to the pivot
Implementation Method 3
each rotating roller being associated with a damping connection articulated around a pivot to form an elementary module individually fixed to the supporting structure
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A support and guidance device 10 for an overhead cable 11 of a ski lift installation, said device comprising a beam 13 supporting a plurality of rotating rollers 12 intended to bear against the cable 11 to guide it during its movement. Each rotating roller 12 is associated with a damping link 20 articulated around a pivot 21 to form an elementary module individually fixed to the beam. The various elementary modules are spaced along the beam 13 at regular intervals.