Ropeway Control With Optical Detection and Automatic Stopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial ropeway transport systems rely on human operators to detect and respond to events, which can lead to delayed responses and high operational costs due to the need for multiple operators, making the system inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses optical acquisition units, processing blocks, and sensors to detect events and autonomously adjust the transport units' speed or alert operators, reducing the need for human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators are used to detect and respond to events at each station, then the system can monitor and control transport units, but the operational costs increase and response time may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical human operator system with an automated control system comprising sensors, processing units, and control mechanisms. The system uses optical acquisition units and sensors to detect events and automatically adjusts transport unit speed or stops the system, eliminating the need for human operators at each station while maintaining reliable event detection and rapid response.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system enables the ropeway system to monitor and control itself without human intervention. The system automatically detects events, processes information, and executes control actions such as adjusting transport unit speed or stopping the system, making the system self-regulating and responsive to operational conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple operators are deployed at each station to ensure safe operation, then system safety is improved, but operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple human operators with an automated control system that uses sensors, processing units, and control mechanisms to ensure system safety. The system automatically monitors operational conditions, detects events, and executes safety protocols without requiring human presence at each station, significantly reducing operational costs while maintaining safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system between the physical ropeway system and the operators. This intermediary layer processes information from sensors and executes control decisions, allowing the system to maintain safety monitoring and control functions without requiring direct human intervention at each station.
3Ease of operation
If operators manually monitor and control the system, then the system can respond to events, but the system complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system enables the ropeway system to monitor and control itself without human intervention. The system automatically detects events, processes information, and executes control actions such as adjusting transport unit speed or stopping the system, making the system self-regulating and reducing the operational burden on humans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human operator system with an automated control system comprising sensors, processing units, and control mechanisms. The system uses optical acquisition units and sensors to detect events and automatically adjusts transport unit speed or stops the system, eliminating the need for human operators at each station while maintaining reliable event detection and rapid response.
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 system enhances safety and efficiency by promptly responding to events and potentially eliminating the need for on-site operators, thereby reducing operational costs and improving system responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an optical acquisition unit (13) for acquiring optical information of a boarding and/or disembarking area of the transport system (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A control system for a ropeway transport system comprising: an optical acquisition unit (13); a processing group (15) comprising a first processing block (16) and a second processing block (17); wherein the first processing block (16) is connected in communication with the optical acquisition group (13) to receive images from the optical acquisition group (13), process said images and define at least one value of at least one parameter related to the system and/or users of the system based on the processing of said images; in which the second processing block (17) is configured to receive the at least one parameter value from the first processing block (16) and compare it with at least one threshold value of the respective parameter; wherein the second processing block (17) being configured to control and/or monitor the operation of the ropeway transport system (1) based on the data received from the first processing block (16).