Cable Winding Control for Electric Ski Slope Groomers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski slope maintenance vehicles face restrictions in movement due to power supply cables that can unintentionally drag or become excessively stressed, hindering unrestricted operation.
Innovation Solution
A ski slope maintenance vehicle equipped with a winding device that adapts the length of the power supply cable to the vehicle's movement, controlled by a detection and control system, ensuring the cable is wound or unwound as needed to prevent dragging and stress, and optionally integrating traction cables for assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a trailing power supply cable is used to supply the drive system, then electrical power can be supplied to the vehicle, but the cable restricts and hinders the movement of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the power supply system adaptive through a winding device that automatically adjusts the cable length based on vehicle movement. The winding device is controlled by a control unit that receives signals from detection devices (such as GPS or movement sensors) and actively winds or unwinds the cable to maintain optimal tension, transforming the static trailing cable system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing vehicle positions and movement states.
2Ease of operation
If the power supply cable is made longer to allow greater movement freedom, then the vehicle can move more unrestricted, but the cable becomes excessively stressed and drags during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through a closed-loop system where detection devices monitor vehicle position, movement speed, and cable tension in real-time. This information is fed to the control unit, which adjusts the winding device operation accordingly. The feedback mechanism ensures the cable length and tension are continuously optimized, preventing both excessive stress and dragging while maximizing movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The winding device operates autonomously based on signals from the detection devices and control unit, automatically winding or unwinding the cable without manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting its own operational state and adjusting the power supply cable configuration accordingly, eliminating the need for external control during vehicle operation.
3Force
If a separate traction cable mechanism is provided for steep slopes, then traction assistance can be provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the winding device to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the power supply cable management system and the traction cable system. The same winding drum and control mechanism handle both electrical power delivery and mechanical traction assistance, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full functionality for both flat terrain operation and steep slope traversal.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
2.1 A ski slope maintenance vehicle comprising a drive system with at least one electrically operated drive unit for propelling the vehicle, and comprising a flexible power supply line for supplying the drive system with electrical operating energy, is known. A coupled operation is provided in which the power supply line is electrically connected at one end to the drive system and at the other end to a stationary power source located in the area of the ski slope. 2.2 According to the invention, a winding device associated with the power supply line is provided, by means of which the power supply line can be wound and unwound in coupled operation in a manner adapted to the propulsion of the ski slope maintenance vehicle. 2.3 Use for ski slope maintenance vehicles