Suspended Transport Facility With Traction Cable System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspended transport facilities face limitations in varied topographies, particularly with pronounced reliefs or abrupt inclinations, and require numerous support pylons, leading to bulkiness and restricted use, while also being sensitive to environmental conditions and prone to vehicle collisions.

Innovation Solution

A transport facility featuring a system with multiple closed-loop traction cables and vehicles equipped with coupling devices that allow them to be fully carried and driven by the traction cables, enabling movement over inclined portions and through diverse terrains without the need for extensive support structures, thus enhancing safety and capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vehicles are equipped with electric motors and batteries for self-propulsion, then vehicles can operate independently on discovery-type rides, but vehicles become bulky and heavier, and collision risks increase due to synchronization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle autonomyVSAvoidvehicle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the electric motors and batteries from the vehicles, extracting the propulsion function entirely. Vehicles become passive carriers that are pulled by a central traction cable system, eliminating the need for onboard power sources and reducing vehicle complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a central traction cable system as an intermediary between the power source and vehicles. Instead of each vehicle having its own motor, a single cable transmits pulling force to multiple vehicles along the route, simplifying individual vehicle design while maintaining coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If rails are used to guide vehicles along curvilinear paths, then vehicles can navigate turns and slopes, but numerous support pylons are required, making the facility bulky and unsuitable for crossing obstacles over large distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle guidanceVSAvoidterrain adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid mechanical rail system with a flexible cable system. Instead of vehicles rolling on fixed rails requiring continuous physical support, vehicles are suspended from and pulled by a cable that can span large distances between minimal support points, enabling crossing of rivers and steep areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible cable instead of rigid rails to define the vehicle path. The cable can conform to varied topography and span large gaps without requiring frequent support structures, providing both guidance and structural support in a flexible form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If vehicles are attached to a traction cable for passive transport, then collision risks are reduced and passenger flow rate increases, but the system cannot handle pronounced reliefs or abrupt inclinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidtopography handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the cable system by using multiple closed loops with different elevation profiles. This allows the system to accommodate pronounced reliefs and abrupt inclinations that would be impossible with a single-level cable, while maintaining the safety benefits of passive cable-pulled transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration allows for increased passenger flow rates, reduced collision risks, and the ability to traverse challenging topographies, including steep areas, by using traction cables to carry and propel vehicles along curved and inclined paths, improving operational efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the vehicle is coupled to the first traction cable and pulled by the first traction cable at the nominal linear speed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

the vehicle having a set of carrying and guiding wheels which are configured to travel on the travel path at the nominal linear speed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250002058A1Transport facility

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 POMAGALSKI

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport facility (100), having a first traction cable (11) that describes a first closed loop (10) and is configured to be driven by at least a first drive means (12) at a nominal linear velocity, and a vehicle (30) having a coupling device (31) for coupling the vehicle to the first traction cable, the transport facility comprising at least a first traffic lane (101) having at least a first segment (110) comprising at least one track (111) along the first traction cable, the first traffic lane comprising at least a second segment (120), the transport facility being configured so that the vehicle is coupled to the first traction cable and pulled by same at the nominal velocity so as to pass through the first segment and the second segment, the first traction cable fully supporting the vehicle and driving it at the nominal speed along the second segment.