Hybrid Cable Rail Transport Unit Transition Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hybrid cable/rail transportation systems require passengers to transfer between systems, leading to inconvenient changes and increased oscillations and volume due to the use of multiple trolleys, especially in rail sections with bends.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid cable/rail transportation system where transportation units seamlessly transition between cable and rail sections at an intermediate station, using integrated trolleys and linear actuators, allowing cabins to hang from cables and rest on rails, minimizing oscillations and volume, and optimizing trolley usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two separate cable and rail systems are arranged in succession with intermediate interchange station, then the system can handle both cable-suitable and rail-suitable path sections, but passengers must transfer between transportation units which is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different path sectionsVSAvoidpassenger transfer convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cable system and rail system into a single integrated hybrid transportation system where one transportation unit continuously travels through both cable and rail sections without requiring passenger transfer. The transportation unit is designed with dual functionality to operate on both cable-supported and rail-supported sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transportation unit is designed as a universal vehicle that can function in both cable transportation mode (hanging from supporting cable via first trolley) and rail transportation mode (resting on rail via second trolley). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate transportation units for different path sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If transportation units use externally coupled trolleys for both cable and rail sections, then the system can operate on hybrid paths, but the volume and oscillations increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehybrid path capabilityVSAvoidtransportation unit volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transportation unit is segmented into distinct functional components: a cabin for passengers, a first trolley for cable section operation, and a second trolley for rail section operation. These components can be selectively coupled and uncoupled at the intermediate station, allowing the transportation unit to have minimal volume when only one type of support is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transportation unit dynamically reconfigures its composition by coupling and uncoupling different trolleys at the intermediate station. When transitioning from cable to rail section, the first trolley is uncoupled and the second trolley is coupled, optimizing the volume and structural characteristics for each specific path section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If transportation units use motor-driven trolleys on rails while suspended in air, then the system can travel along rail path sections, but oscillations occur in longitudinal and transversal directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel speed on rail sectionVSAvoidtransportation unit stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the first trolley (cable support mechanism) when the transportation unit operates on the rail section. By removing the cable-supported trolley component, the transportation unit achieves stable contact with the rail through the second trolley, eliminating the oscillations that occur when suspended in air from the cable section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11801875B2Hybrid cable/rail transportation system, transportation unit for such a transportation system and method for operating such a transportation system

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 LEITNER SPA VIPITENO

AI summary

A hybrid cable/rail transportation system comprising: at least one system portion configured as a cable transportation system comprising at least one cable; at least one system portion configured as a rail transportation system comprising at least one rail, wherein the system portion configured as a cable transportation system is upstream and/or downstream of the system portion configured as a rail transportation system; a plurality of transportation units, wherein each transportation unit comprises a cabin; wherein each cabin is configured for being moved along the entire system, respectively supported hanging from the cable along the system portion configured as a cable transportation system and supported resting on the rail along the system portion configured as a rail transportation system.