Ropeway Tire Inflation Detection via Pressure Plate Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teleporter systems face inefficiencies in manually checking the inflation status of numerous pneumatic wheels, which is time-consuming, or require costly special valves for faster visual checks.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a pressure plate and sensor mounted on a test carriage that moves along the transfer path, measuring the compression force exerted by each tire wheel to automatically detect under-inflated tires, allowing for rapid and effective inflation verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual verification of tire pressure using a pressure gauge is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly due to testing each of the hundred pneumatic wheels individually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pressure gauge testing with an automated optical measurement system. A sensor mounted on a test carriage automatically measures the deformation of each pneumatic wheel as the carriage moves along the transfer path, eliminating the need for manual intervention at each wheel while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic wheels themselves provide the measurement information through their deformation characteristics. As the test carriage moves along the transfer path, the natural deformation of each wheel under the carriage's weight provides the measurement signal, eliminating the need for external active testing mechanisms at each wheel position.
2Productivity
If special valves with pressure indicators are installed on tires, then productivity is improved by enabling faster visual check, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure indicator valves with an optical sensing system. Instead of modifying each wheel with mechanical indicators, a non-contact optical sensor on the test carriage measures wheel deformation to infer pressure status, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high verification speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a test carriage as an intermediary carrier that moves along the transfer path and carries the measurement sensor. This intermediary enables centralized measurement of all wheels without requiring modifications to each individual wheel, achieving both speed and simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If individual manual testing of each pneumatic wheel is performed, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the lengthy control process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operation with automated operation. The test carriage automatically moves along the transfer path and the sensor automatically measures each wheel's deformation, eliminating the need for operators to manually approach and test each wheel while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process becomes continuous as the test carriage moves along the transfer path, measuring each wheel in sequence without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates the discrete, time-consuming manual testing steps while maintaining accurate measurement of each individual wheel.
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
Enables the quick assessment of the entire set of pneumatic wheels within minutes, reducing manual effort and costs associated with traditional methods while ensuring accurate inflation monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor sensitive to the deformation of the pressure plate to deliver a measurement signal representative of the state of inflation of the tire wheels
Implementation Method 2
measuring, by means of a sensor, the compression force exerted by the pneumatic wheels on the pressure plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The lift has a control device including a pressure plate (15) contacted with a bottom part of tired wheels (11). A force sensor (16) is sensitive to deformation of the pressure plate for delivering a measuring signal representing inflation state of the wheels. The sensor is arranged below a lower part of the pressure plate. The sensor is electrically connected to processing circuit to locate the wheels found in under inflation state. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling inflation of tired wheels in a station of a chair lift.