Cable Trolley Guide with Upward-Bent End for Compact Depot Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The length of guides in existing trolleys for cable transportation systems limits storage capacity in depots, as trolleys must be aligned with a specific pitch that exceeds the maximum size of the trolley, reducing storage efficiency during periods of inactivity.
Innovation Solution
The trolley design features a second guide with an upward-bent end portion, allowing adjacent trolleys to overlap partially when stored, reducing the required pitch and enhancing storage capacity, while maintaining operational functionality through elastic deformation of polymer material guides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guides are made long to facilitate progressive roller movement and reduce impact, then the operational reliability is improved, but the storage capacity of depots deteriorates due to increased trolley length
Solution Approach 1:
The second guide is bent upwards at its free end to define an inclined second portion, transforming the guide from a straight linear structure into a three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional change allows the guide to provide progressive roller support while reducing the trolley's longitudinal footprint, enabling adjacent trolleys to overlap when stored in depots
Solution Approach 2:
The upward-bent configuration of the second guide allows the first guide of an adjacent trolley to fit beneath it, creating a nested arrangement where trolleys can be stored in overlapping positions. This nesting principle reduces the space required for storage while maintaining the full length of guides during operational use
2Strength
If the trolleys are stored with maximum spacing to accommodate full trolley length, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the storage capacity of depots deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guides are made of elastically deformable material that can dynamically adapt to overlapping configurations during storage while maintaining structural integrity during operation. The elastic deformation allows temporary compression of the bent guide portion when trolleys are stored adjacent to each other, then recovery to the original configuration during operational use
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the guide material is optimized to be elastically deformable, allowing it to change shape between operational and storage states. The upward-bent configuration with elastic properties enables the guide to withstand compressive forces during overlapping storage while returning to its original form during operation, effectively changing the spatial parameters of the trolley
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 enables more compact storage of trolleys along straight tracks, increasing depot storage capacity without compromising the trolley's movement efficiency or guide functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the first and the second guide are made of an elastically deformable material. This characteristic allows the first and the second guide to resume their original configuration even after slight deformations induced by the overlapping between the first and the second guide
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
A trolley (6) for a cable transportation system transportation unit extends along a longitudinal axis (A1) and comprises a frame (7); a clamp (8) supported by the frame (7) and designed to connect the trolley (6) to a cable (9); and a first and second guide (17, 18) which are mounted and project on opposite sides of the clamp (8), taper towards their respective free ends, and have respective bottom faces (19, 20) designed to contact the cable (9) and respective top faces (21, 22) designed to define a support for at least one roller (23); and wherein the bottom face (20) of the second guide (18) comprises a first and a second portion (24, 25) and the second portion (25) located at the free end and sloping upwards with respect to the first portion (24).