Motorized Zipwire Carriage With Regenerative Descent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zipwire transport systems are inefficient and costly for lifting carriages from low to high altitudes, particularly for longer zipwires, and lack control over descent speed, leading to safety and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A transport device equipped with an electric motor, battery, and regenerative electric generator that hooks onto a guide line, allowing it to descend by gravity while generating electricity, which is used to recharge the battery and power the motor for efficient lifting back to the high altitude, with electronic management for controlling descent speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If return lines are used to lift carriages on short zipwires, then the carriage can be lifted by user effort, but the system becomes unsuitable for longer zipwires where lifting takes too much time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical return line system with an electric motor-driven lifting system. The motor, powered by a battery, mechanically lifts the carriage along the guide line, substituting manual mechanical effort with an automated electromechanical system that is suitable for both short and long zipwires.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates regenerative braking where the carriage's descent motion automatically recharges the battery through a generator. This self-service feature allows the system to recover energy during operation, reducing the overall energy consumption for lifting and making the system self-sustaining to a large extent.
2Ease of operation
If carriages are manually unhooked and lifted for longer zipwires, then the carriage can be repositioned, but the process becomes long, tedious, complex, and costly requiring specialized personnel and vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the carriage for user transport and as the lifting mechanism for its own repositioning. The integrated motor and battery system allows the same device to perform both functions, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage is equipped with its own propulsion system (motor and battery), enabling it to autonomously lift itself back to the starting position. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external vehicles and specialized personnel, simplifying the repositioning process significantly.
3Speed
If known zipwire systems are used, then the carriage can descend by gravity, but the descent speed cannot be controlled precisely and is sensitive to external parameters like wind and user drag
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the carriage's position, speed, and external conditions like wind. This feedback is processed by a control unit that adjusts the regenerative braking force and motor assistance in real-time, maintaining consistent and safe descent speeds regardless of external parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical descent system with an active electromechanical control system. The motor and generator work together under electronic control to regulate speed, substituting uncontrolled gravitational descent with a controlled electromechanical system that compensates for external disturbances.
4Loss of energy
If regenerative braking is implemented to recharge battery during descent, then energy efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor and generator into an integrated electromechanical system. The same motor that lifts the carriage also functions as a generator during descent through regenerative braking, and the battery management system unifies power storage and control functions, reducing overall system complexity despite adding energy recovery capability.
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 enables efficient, cost-effective, and safe transportation of loads between altitudes with precise control over descent speed, reducing operational complexity and enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generator (10) comprising a rotating portion (11), the electric generator (10) being designed so as to recharge the first battery (9) when the rotating portion (11) is rotated under the effect of the descent of the transport device (1) from the first altitude (3) to the second altitude (4)
Implementation Method 2
transport device (1) for transporting a load (2) from a first altitude (3) to a second altitude (4) lower than the first altitude (3) by being hooked to a guide line (5) and descending along the latter by gravity
Implementation Method 3
an electric motor (8) designed so as to at least lift the transport device (1) from the second altitude (4) to the first altitude (3), along said guide line (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport device (I) for transporting a load from a first altitude to a second altitude that is lower than the first altitude while being attached to a guide line (5) and descending along the latter by gravity, comprising: an electric motor (8) for raising the transport device from the second altitude to the first altitude along the line, a first battery (9) for powering the motor, and an electric generator comprising a rotating part and designed to recharge the first battery when the rotating part is caused to rotate under the effect of the descent of the transport device from the first altitude to the second altitude The invention is particularly adapted to zipwire transport.