Hybrid Cable Rail Cabin Coupling System for Seamless Transition

Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid cable/rail transportation systems face inefficiencies, particularly in rail sections, due to the need for passengers to transfer between systems and the unnecessary movement of trolleys, which increases mass and reduces dynamics, limiting the system's performance and requiring larger dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid cable/rail transportation system where cabins are supported by a first trolley during cable sections and a second trolley during rail sections, with a coupling system on the cabin's roof allowing seamless transition between the two without stopping, eliminating the need for trolley movement on rail sections and reducing overall dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the first trolley is transported along the rail system section, then the transportation units can move continuously from cable to rail section, but the moving mass increases and dynamics are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous transportationVSAvoidmoving mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the first trolley from the transportation unit during the rail section. The coupling system on the cabin roof allows the first trolley to be detached and left at the interchange station while the cabin continues on the rail section with only the second trolley, thereby reducing the moving mass and improving dynamics while maintaining continuous transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic configuration where the coupling system can selectively connect or disconnect the first trolley from the cabin. During the rail section, the first trolley is disconnected to optimize performance, while during cable sections it is reconnected. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between continuous transportation and reduced moving mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the first trolley is transported along the rail system section, then the transportation units can move continuously from cable to rail section, but the system dimensions become larger than required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous transportationVSAvoidsystem dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the first trolley from the transportation unit during the rail section. The coupling system on the cabin roof allows the first trolley to be detached and left at the interchange station while the cabin continues on the rail section with only the second trolley, thereby reducing the moving mass and improving dynamics while maintaining continuous transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic configuration where the coupling system can selectively connect or disconnect the first trolley from the cabin. During the rail section, the first trolley is disconnected to optimize performance, while during cable sections it is reconnected. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between continuous transportation and reduced moving mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If passengers transfer between cable and rail systems at an interchange station, then each system can be optimized independently, but passenger convenience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem optimizationVSAvoidpassenger convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cable and rail systems into a single continuous transportation flow by implementing a seamless interchange mechanism. The coupling system automatically transfers the cabin from the first trolley to the second trolley without requiring passenger intervention, combining the advantages of both systems while eliminating the need for passenger transfers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling system acts as an intermediary between the cable and rail sections. It automatically manages the transition of the cabin from the first trolley (cable section) to the second trolley (rail section) without requiring passenger involvement, thereby maintaining system optimization while ensuring passenger convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3747722B1Hybrid cable/rail transportation system

Publication Date: 2023.01.04 LEITNER SPA VIPITENO

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AI summary

A hybrid cable/rail transportation system comprising: at least one portion of the system configured as a cable transportation system; at least one portion of the system configured as a rail transportation system, a first trolley coupled to the supporting cable and comprising a first coupling device for coupling to the cabin; a second trolley coupled to the rail and comprising a second coupling device for coupling to the cabin; a plurality of transportation units wherein each transportation unit comprises a cabin, each cabin comprising a roof provided with a coupling system configured for coupling the cabin to the first trolley along the system portion configured as a cable transportation system and to the second trolley along the system portion configured as a rail transportation system; wherein the coupling system arranged on the roof of the cabin, the first coupling device of the first trolley and the second coupling device of the second trolley are configured for allowing a progressive passage of the cabin from the first to the second trolley, or vice-versa, without stopping the support.