Movable Bearing Cable Tension Control for Uneven Terrain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices with cables for moving vehicles on uneven terrain face issues with fluctuating cable tension due to ground irregularities, leading to reduced service life and difficulty in continuous movement, as steel cables with high stiffness experience sharp tension changes.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a movable bearing point that allows flexible cable deflection and an automatic control mechanism to maintain constant cable tension, using elements like springs or dampers to absorb deflections and ensure the vehicle stays aligned with the cable direction, enabling driverless operation and reduced mechanical stress on the cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a steel cable with high stiffness is used for transporting vehicles on uneven terrain, then the cable can maintain tension and support the vehicle weight, but the cable tension experiences sharp fluctuations due to ground irregularities, reducing service life and causing discontinuous movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a movable bearing point that can dynamically adjust its position along the cable to accommodate terrain variations. This movable support point allows the cable system to adapt to changing ground conditions, absorbing deflections and maintaining relatively stable cable tension without the sharp fluctuations that would otherwise occur on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the cable system to change its geometric configuration through the movable bearing point. As the bearing point moves along the cable in response to terrain changes, the system alters its tension and deflection parameters dynamically, preventing excessive tension spikes while maintaining adequate support for the transport vehicle
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cable is rigidly fixed at both ends to maintain stable routing, then the cable direction is well-defined, but any deflection from the direct connection between fixed points causes large tension changes in stiff steel cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, rigid cable system into a dynamic one by introducing a movable bearing point. This allows the cable configuration to adapt to terrain variations while maintaining routing stability, as the movable point can shift position to accommodate deflections without generating excessive tension forces
3Ease of operation
If the transport vehicle maintains constant ground contact on uneven terrain, then the vehicle can be continuously guided, but the cable deflection and tension fluctuations increase, making continuous movement more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The movable bearing point provides dynamic adaptation to terrain changes, allowing the cable to deflect smoothly over uneven ground without creating tension spikes. This enables the transport vehicle to maintain continuous ground contact and smooth movement, as the cable system can accommodate terrain variations without interruption
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 solution allows for smooth, constant-speed movement on uneven terrain, extends the service life of the cable, and enables driverless operation, reducing personnel risk and costs by maintaining stable cable tension and guiding the vehicle along defined routes.
Implementation Method 1
The bearing point is preferably flexibly movable in the direction of the tensioned cable and essentially rigid in all other directions... The movable bearing point can be designed as a spring, in particular comprising a gas- or liquid-filled piston or a rubber element, in which a cable force increases with the deflection.
Implementation Method 2
In addition, the elements described above can be combined with one another in order to implement a bearing point that is optimally adapted to the respective conditions. The integration of a damping element, which applies a cable force depending on the speed of the deflection, is another possibility.
Implementation Method 3
The control mechanism can include a steering sensor, a control unit and a steering system, in particular articulated or pivoted steering, with the steering sensor constantly measuring the alignment of the transport vehicle relative to the cable
Implementation Method 4
a transport vehicle (1) with a drive (3) and a cable (5) supported at at least two points, the transport vehicle (1) being able to be moved along the cable (5) by means of the drive (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The transport apparatus has a transport vehicle with a drive portion (3) and a rope (5) mounted at two points. The transport vehicle is moved along the rope by the drive portion. The rope at one point is flexibly clamped by a movable bearing, and/or is provided with a control mechanism which automatically corrects a deflection of the rope. The rope at one point is attached to the movable bearing, and at another point is attached to the fixing anchors. An independent claim is included for a method for moving transport vehicle.