Cable Car Roller Assembly Mounting for Safer Bearing Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Maintenance of cable car pulley assemblies is time-consuming and risky due to the need to lift and lower the roller assemblies for inspection and replacement of bolts or bushings, especially in urban environments with high operational demands.

Innovation Solution

A device with securing elements that prevent radial movement between the securing element and the holding device, allowing the carrier unit to remain mounted on the holding device during maintenance, facilitating easy insertion and removal of connecting elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the roller assembly is lowered and raised for maintenance, then the bearings can be inspected and bolts replaced, but the maintenance time increases and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance safetyVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is divided into a securing body fixed to the holding device and a movable securing part that can engage and disengage from the roller assembly. This segmentation allows the securing mechanism to remain on the holding device while releasing the roller assembly for maintenance without requiring the entire assembly to be lowered.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The securing element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the holding device and the roller assembly. It provides a controlled release mechanism that allows maintenance personnel to service the roller assembly while it remains supported, eliminating the need to lower the entire assembly and thereby reducing maintenance time and safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the connecting element is removed for bearing maintenance, then the bearings can be serviced, but the roller assembly must be lowered which increases maintenance complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing serviceabilityVSAvoidmaintenance procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is pre-configured on the holding device with a releasing mechanism that is activated before the connecting element is removed. This preliminary action ensures the roller assembly is securely held during the maintenance process, eliminating the need for complex lowering and repositioning procedures and simplifying the overall maintenance workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The securing element includes a self-locking mechanism that automatically engages when the connecting element is removed, providing automatic support for the roller assembly during maintenance. This self-service feature eliminates the need for additional manual support operations, reducing maintenance complexity while improving ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4556342A1Device for mounting a roller battery on a holding device
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 INNOVA PATENT GMBH
  • EP4556342A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4556342A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4556342A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In order to simplify the maintenance and assembly of roller assemblies (2), in particular the bearings, of cable cars, to reduce the time required, and to increase safety, a device (1) is provided. The device (1) serves to mount a roller assembly (2) on a holding device (3), wherein at least one holding recess (4) is provided on the holding device (3), and the roller assembly (2) comprises a carrier unit (5), wherein the carrier unit (5) comprises a bearing part (6) and a connecting recess (7) is provided in the bearing part (6), wherein a connecting element (8) is inserted through the connecting recess (7) of the bearing part (6) of the carrier unit (5) and through the at least one holding recess (4) of the holding device (3) in order to mount the carrier unit (5) on the holding device (3) via the connecting element (8) so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis (A), wherein at least one securing element (9) is arranged on the holding device (3),wherein the arrangement prevents a relative movement between the securing element (9) and the holding device (3) radially to the axis of rotation (A), that a securing recess (10) is provided on the securing element (9) and that the bearing part (6) of the carrier unit (5) is arranged at least partially in the securing recess (10) of the securing element (9).