Linear Motor Cable Transport Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable transportation systems have complex and inflexible auxiliary drive devices that are difficult to produce and do not allow for easy, low-cost variations in speed, due to the precision required in assembling belt, pulley, and bevel gear connections.
Innovation Solution
A cable transportation system utilizing a linear synchronous electric motor with modular coils and permanent magnets, where the intensity and frequency of electric current are modulated to control the speed of transportation units, eliminating the need for complex pulley and bevel gear systems by using a U-shaped beam and guides to support the motor and trolley, allowing for precise speed control and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary drive devices use belt, pulley, and bevel gear connections to transmit power between wheels, then the system can achieve speed control through pulley diameter variation, but the device becomes extremely complicated to produce due to high precision assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical belt-pulley-bevel gear transmission system with an independent electric motor for each wheel. Each wheel is equipped with its own motor that can be controlled independently, eliminating the need for mechanical power transmission between wheels and their associated belts, pulleys, and bevel gears. This substitution of mechanical transmission with independent electric actuation resolves the contradiction by providing speed control flexibility through electronic means while dramatically reducing mechanical complexity and assembly precision requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If auxiliary drive devices use mechanically connected wheels with belts and pulleys, then power can be transmitted between adjacent wheels, but the system becomes inflexible and costly to modify for speed variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the auxiliary drive device into independent wheel units, where each wheel is equipped with its own electric motor and can operate independently. This segmentation allows each wheel to be controlled individually for speed variation without affecting other wheels, providing flexibility for different speed profiles while simplifying manufacturing and modification. Each modular wheel unit can be produced separately and assembled, making the system easier to manufacture and adapt.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables speed variation by changing the operating parameters (voltage, frequency) of the independent electric motors rather than physically modifying mechanical transmission components. This parameter-based control allows easy and low-cost speed variations by simply adjusting electrical inputs to the motors, eliminating the need for complex mechanical reconfiguration and improving both ease of manufacture and adaptability.
3Reliability
If the auxiliary drive device uses precisely assembled belt and pulley connections, then power transmission between wheels can be maintained, but the system is difficult to produce and modify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical belt-pulley power transmission system with independent electric motors at each wheel, eliminating belts and pulleys entirely. This substitution maintains reliable power transmission to each wheel through direct electric drive while dramatically easing manufacturing, as there are no precision-matched mechanical components requiring complex assembly. Each wheel unit can be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled without precision mechanical matching.
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
The system achieves efficient speed control with reduced complexity and cost, enabling easy variations in speed profiles, including deceleration, acceleration, and stopping phases, improving operational flexibility and reducing production difficulties.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary drive device extending along the passenger station to move the transportation unit along a portion of said given path, the auxiliary drive device comprising a linear synchronous electric motor
Implementation Method 2
The wheels are rotated by a mechanism operated by the pull cable or, in alternative embodiments, by an actuator independent of the cable
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~6
AI summary
A cable transportation system has a pull cable; at least one transportation unit moving along a given path and connectable selectively to the pull cable by a coupling device; at least one passenger station where the transportation unit is detached from the pull cable; and an auxiliary drive device having a linear electric motor extending along a portion of the given path to move the transportation unit along the passenger station.