Movable Arm Cable Attachment for Cabin Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable transport systems, particularly those with fixed grippers, face challenges in improving passenger transport speed and throughput, as stationary cabins can block the path of other vehicles, requiring multiple landing/boarding stations and not efficiently managing cabin order along the traction cable.
Innovation Solution
A device with movable arms that can unhook a cabin from the cable and rehook it at a different station, allowing for flexible cabin positioning and movement, enabling continuous traction cable operation while avoiding collisions and optimizing embarkation/disembarkation without disrupting other vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cabins are stopped in the normal path of vehicles at a station for boarding/disembarking, then passenger boarding and disembarking can be completed, but the stationary cabin blocks the path of other cabins in the station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the arm movable relative to the coupling means, allowing it to shift cabins laterally within the station. This dynamic positioning enables a stationary cabin to be moved out of the normal path to allow other cabins to pass, while still permitting boarding and disembarking operations to occur at the station without blocking traffic flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lateral dimension of movement through the arm's ability to shift cabins perpendicular to the cable's direction of travel. This additional degree of freedom allows cabins to be repositioned within the station area, enabling the system to resolve the conflict between stopping for passenger operations and maintaining continuous traffic flow by moving cabins out of the way when necessary
2Device complexity
If the order of cabins along the haul rope is fixed throughout the entire route, then cable transport operation is simple, but passenger throughput cannot be improved and collision risk increases when a cabin is stopped at a station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cabin order dynamic by enabling the arm to laterally shift cabins along the haul rope at stations. This allows the system to change the sequence of cabins during operation - for example, moving a cabin that has completed its route out of the way and allowing newer cabins to take its position, thereby improving throughput without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cable transport system into distinct operational zones: the normal travel path where fixed order is maintained for simplicity, and the station area where the movable arm enables local reordering of cabins. This segmentation allows the system to maintain operational simplicity in the majority of the route while enabling throughput improvements at specific locations
3Productivity
If multiple disembarkation/boarding stations are installed to prevent blocking, then passenger throughput is improved, but the installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single station multi-functional by equipping it with a movable arm that can perform multiple operations: boarding, disembarking, lateral shifting of cabins to clear the path, and reordering of cabins along the haul rope. This universal capability allows the station to handle all passenger operations and traffic management functions in one location, eliminating the need for multiple specialized stations
Data Source
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AI summary
Attachment device for a cabin (A, B) intended to be pulled by a cable (2), comprising attachment means (8) for coupling the device to the cable (2), and at least one arm (9, 10) configured to attach the cabin (A, B) in a removable manner and movably mounted on the attachment means (8) to move the cabin (A, B) relative to the attachment means (8).