Parallel-Rope Towing Control for Low-Friction Path Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recreational sports systems using towing ropes suffer from limited user flexibility, high energy consumption due to friction losses, and mechanical complexity, particularly in circular guiding concepts.
Innovation Solution
A rope conveying system with adjustable free rope lengths and a control system that allows for a common anchor point connected kinematically to multiple ropes, enabling flexible movement paths and energy-efficient operation using electric rope winches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a circular guiding concept is used for the towing rope, then the user can be towed along a predefined path, but the energy consumption increases due to high friction losses and the mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rope from traditional fixed guides and pulleys, eliminating the complex guiding mechanism. Instead, the rope is held by multiple independent tensioning devices that can be controlled separately, removing the source of high friction losses while maintaining path guidance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical guiding system (guides and pulleys) with an electronically controlled tensioning system. Each rope segment is controlled by independent tensioning devices that can be adjusted via control unit, substituting mechanical guidance with electronic control to reduce friction and complexity
2Ease of operation
If a circular guiding concept is used for the towing rope, then the user can be towed along a predefined path, but the device complexity increases due to multiple guides and pulleys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional guiding mechanism (guides and pulleys) from the system. Instead of using fixed mechanical guides to define the path, the system uses multiple independently controllable tensioning devices that hold the rope at different positions, eliminating the complex guiding structure
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning devices serve multiple functions: they hold the rope, define the movement path, and control the tension in each rope segment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate guiding mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the free rope length is made adjustable for each rope conveying device, then the user flexibility increases, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability of the free rope length for each tensioning device. The control unit can independently adjust the rope length and tension for each device in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to different user needs and movement paths while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular design
4Loss of energy
If multiple independently controllable rope conveying devices are used, then the energy efficiency increases by reducing friction losses, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical guiding system with electronically controlled tensioning devices. By using independent tensioning devices that can be controlled via a control unit, the system eliminates high friction losses associated with traditional guides and pulleys, achieving better energy efficiency despite the increased number of components
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (10) in which a user (30) is towed by means of rope forces (46) through a movement region (20) which can be configured by software. The ropes (16) are parallel-kinematically connected at an anchor point (26), via which the user (30) is connected to the recreational sports system (10). By selectively tensioning the individual ropes (16), a controllable resultant tensile force (48) is created in the anchor point (26), which tensile force flexibly tows the user (30) along a movement path (40; 50).