Rotating Clamp Vehicle Coupling for Continuous Traction Cable Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle coupling systems for traction cables are inefficient, as they require vehicles to be stopped to load/unload passengers, lead to excessive wear due to friction, and necessitate complex and lengthy acceleration/deceleration sections, limiting the speed and flow rate of passenger transport.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with rotating elements that can modify their speed to allow vehicles to move relative to the traction cable while maintaining coupling, eliminating the need for long acceleration/deceleration sections and reducing wear by minimizing sliding between the cable and elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fixed clamps are used to permanently couple vehicles to the traction cable, then the coupling strength is improved, but the productivity deteriorates because the traction cable must be stopped for passenger embarkation and disembarkation
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with movable jaws that can dynamically transition between open and closed positions. The jaws are actuated by a motorized mechanism to open for passenger boarding and close for transport, allowing the coupling strength to be adjusted according to operational needs while maintaining continuous cable motion
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system changes the parameter of coupling force from constant (fixed clamp) to variable (actuated clamp). The clamp can be opened to zero coupling force for boarding and closed to high coupling force for transport, enabling both strong coupling during travel and easy detachment at stations without stopping the cable
2Productivity
If disengageable clamps are used to couple vehicles to the moving traction cable, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases and wear increases due to significant friction during tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The control system for opening and closing the clamp is extracted from the vehicle and placed at the stationary stations. This eliminates the need for complex control units on each vehicle, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to dynamically couple and decouple vehicles at stations
Solution Approach 2:
A synchronized control mechanism acts as an intermediary between the station control system and the clamp actuation system. This mediator coordinates the clamp opening/closing actions with the cable motion and vehicle positioning, simplifying the overall control architecture while ensuring proper timing and reducing friction-induced wear
3Productivity
If the traction cable speed is increased to improve productivity, then the passenger transport flow rate is improved, but the length of acceleration and deceleration sections must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is opened in advance at the departure station before the vehicle reaches the acceleration section. This preliminary action allows the vehicle to be decoupled early, eliminating the need for long acceleration sections and enabling high cable speeds without proportionally increasing station lengths
4Productivity
If disengageable clamps are used to allow vehicle detachment, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because a vehicle may be immobilized on the line while the traction cable remains in motion, creating collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback system continuously monitors the position and status of each vehicle on the line. When a vehicle is detected as immobilized or detached, the system automatically triggers an alarm and controls subsequent clamps to prevent following vehicles from coupling to the cable, eliminating collision risk while maintaining high productivity
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 continuous transport with reduced wear and increased flow rates by allowing vehicles to be accelerated or decelerated in place, minimizing the need for complex station equipment and reducing friction.
Implementation Method 1
there is significant friction between the cable and the disengageable clamp, during tightening, resulting in untimely wear of the clamp and of the traction cable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for coupling a vehicle to a traction cable (2). Said device includes a fastening (16) designed to couple the vehicle to the traction cable (2). The fastening (16) comprises at least two rotatable elements (17 to 20) designed to occupy a coupling position (F) in which said at least two rotatable elements (17 to 20) are in contact with the traction cable (2) and the vehicle is coupled to the traction cable (2). The device includes a control means (31) designed to change a rotational speed of said at least two rotatable elements (17 to 20) when said at least two rotatable elements (17 to 20) are in the coupling position (F), such that the vehicle moves relative to the traction cable (2).