Motorized Trolley Cable Transport System Without Hauling Rope

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable transportation systems in urban areas require frequent maintenance and downtime due to the wear and tear of supporting and hauling cables, especially in routes with flat terrain and curves, where traditional systems are inefficient and inconvenient for passengers.

Innovation Solution

A cable transportation system without a hauling cable, utilizing two supporting cables and electric motors on trolleys to move transporting units, with an electrical supply circuit distributed along the cables and U-bolt structures to maintain power contact, allowing for reduced maintenance and continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cable transportation systems with hauling cables are used, then transporting units can be moved along the route, but frequent maintenance and system downtime occur due to cable wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem continuityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the hauling cable from the system, replacing it with individually motorized trolleys. This eliminates the major source of wear and tear (the hauling cable) while maintaining the transporting function through distributed motorization on each trolley unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Each trolley is equipped with its own electric motor, allowing it to move independently along the supporting cables. This self-service capability eliminates dependence on a centralized hauling cable system, enabling individual trolleys to operate and be maintained without stopping the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If supporting structures are added to maintain power supply to moving trolleys, then continuous operation is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidsupporting structures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces supporting structures with electrical contacts as intermediaries between the fixed power supply infrastructure and the moving trolleys. These structures facilitate continuous power transfer without requiring complex onboard power generation or storage systems on the trolleys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply system transitions from a mobile power source on each trolley to a fixed power infrastructure in the spatial dimension above the route. Power is delivered vertically from overhead cables through the supporting structures to the trolleys as they pass by, simplifying the power delivery architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration reduces maintenance needs, eliminates system downtime, and ensures continuous operation by allowing trolleys to be overhauled individually while maintaining power supply to the motors, enhancing the system's reliability and efficiency in urban environments.

Implementation Method 1

each trolley supports a transporting unit in a suspended configuration and comprises rolls configured for resting and rolling on the supporting cables

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

each trolley comprises at least one electric motor configured for moving the trolley along the supporting cables

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a pantograph configured for pressing spring-wise against the power supply cable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring pressure: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3581456B1Cable transportation system
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 LEITNER SPA VIPITENO
  • EP3581456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581456B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3581456B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A cable transportation system without a hauling cable and comprising: a plurality of transporting units; two supporting cables for supporting the transporting units in a suspended configuration; a plurality of trolleys, wherein each trolley supports a transporting unit in a suspended configuration and comprises rolls configured for resting and rolling on the supporting cables and at least one electric motor configured for moving the trolley along the supporting cables.