Cable Railway Roller Tire With Annular Insert for Higher Load Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable transport system roller tires have a short lifespan and limited load capacity, leading to increased maintenance costs and operational disruptions in urban environments, with existing solutions being complex and expensive to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A solid tire made of elastomeric material with a radially internal monolithic annular insert, providing enhanced mechanical performance and manufacturing efficiency through compression transfer or injection molding, allowing for a wider and thicker reinforcement that supports higher loads and extends tire lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rubber tire is used to ensure contact with the cable, then the cable structure is preserved and comfort is ensured, but the tire lifespan is short and load capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire lifespanVSAvoidtire service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining an elastomeric material (providing comfort and cable protection) with a reinforcement material having higher mechanical strength (extending lifespan and load capacity). This composite structure allows the tire to simultaneously achieve softness for cable preservation and durability for extended service life in urban cable transport operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Force

If the number of rollers is increased to support higher loads, then the load distribution is improved, but the number of pylons and installation constraints increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidnumber of pylons and load distribution system
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the tire by incorporating reinforcement material with superior mechanical properties. This allows a single roller to support higher loads that previously required multiple rollers, thereby reducing the number of pylons and simplifying the load distribution system while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If existing reinforcement methods are used (fabric reinforcement or winding), then the tire strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reinforcement function directly into the tire manufacturing process by incorporating reinforcement material during the molding operation. This eliminates separate reinforcement steps (such as fabric layering or winding operations), simplifying manufacturing while maintaining enhanced tire strength through the integrated composite structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a tire with increased load capacity and extended lifespan, reducing maintenance needs and operational disruptions while simplifying and cost-effectively manufacturing the tire.

Implementation Method 1

a solid body of elastomeric material... crushed by the load to be carried

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the material of which said insert is made has a modulus MA10 (at 10% elongation in uniaxial tension) greater than 1000 MPA

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP3953163B1Solid tyre made of elastomer material for a roller of a cable railway
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3953163B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3953163B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3953163B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The invention relates to a solid tyre (1) made of an elastomer material for a roller (4) of a cable railway or cable car system, comprising a solid body (2) made of an elastomer material, and at least one annular insert (3) which is preferably made as a single piece and made of a different material to that of said solid body, is arranged radially inside the solid body (2), and forms at least one section of the internal surface of the tyre.