EP2384298B1

EP2384298B1 - Carriage for a cable transportation system, cable transportation system comprising such a carriage, and cable transportation system control method

Info

Publication number: EP2384298B1
Application number: EP09806198.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nikolaus Erharter
Original assignee: Rolic International SARL
Current assignee: Rolic International SARL
Priority date: 2008-12-30
Filing date: 2009-12-29
Publication date: 2014-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-29
Also published as: EP2384298A1; ITMI20082341A1; IT1392496B1; WO2010076644A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a carriage for a cable transportation system.

BACKGROUND ART

More specifically, the present invention relates to a carriage for a cable transportation system comprising a guide and a traction cable. The carriage is fitted to the guide, is drawn by the traction cable along a given path, and normally comprises a frame, and at least one roller fitted to the guide.
An example of carriage is disclosed in the document US 5 225 863 .
A cableway is one type of cable transportation system, in which the guide comprises one or more supporting cables fixed to supports anchored to the ground, and which form sags between adjacent supports. The carriage is moved along the supporting cables by one or more rolling assemblies, each comprising at least one roller with a groove for a supporting cable. When the system is running, the supporting cable is subject to oscillation induced by atmospheric factors, and which may impair connection of the supporting cable and roller. This may also be impaired by mechanical problems on the carriage. For example, the roller may jam, due to a faulty bearing; in which case, the jammed roller would slide, instead of rolling, along the supporting cable, thus resulting in wear of the roller.
Cable transportation systems are normally remote-controlled by an operator, who is therefore unable to directly monitor the condition of the carriage or the carriage-guide connection. Accordingly, some cable transportation systems feature a safety device whereby the carriage comprises an aluminium shoe coated with a plastic insulating film and fitted about the supporting cable, which is powered with low voltage and insulated electrically from earth. During normal operation, the supporting cable is engaged by the roller and located a given distance from the shoe. When, in the event of a malfunction, the supporting cable comes into contact with the shoe, it abrades and wears down the plastic film on the shoe, and is eventually earthed.
In which case, the safety device determines a malfunction and stops the system.
The safety device also determines a malfunction and stops the system if the supporting cable, for any reason, becomes completely unseated from the groove in the roller and comes into contact with any of the metal parts of the carriage.
One drawback of the known art is that, though stopping the system on detecting a malfunction, the safety device fails to provide the operator with sufficient information about the nature and gravity of the malfunction, which is essential for the operator to take the appropriate steps.
Another drawback of the known art is the relative slowness of the safety device described, which only intervenes when the malfunction is already serious.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a carriage for a cable transportation system designed to eliminate the drawbacks of the known art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a carriage for a cable transportation system designed to ensure safe operation of the system.
According to the present invention, there is provided a carriage for a cable transportation system; the cable transportation system comprising a guide and a traction cable; the carriage being suitable to be supported by the guide, being' suitable to be drawn by the traction cable along a given path, and comprising a frame; a rolling assembly comprising at least one roller couplable to the guide; and characterized by a sensing system for sensing a distance between the guide and a reference region on the carriage.
Compared with the safety device, the sensing system enables any improper connections to be detected, and the appropriate steps to be taken, sooner.
The sensing system also indicates the nature and gravity of the malfunction.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable transportation system designed to eliminate the drawbacks of the known art.
According to the present invention, there is provided a cable transportation system comprising a guide; a traction cable; and at least one transportation unit comprising a carriage as described above.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a cable transportation system designed to eliminate the drawbacks of the known art.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a cable transportation system, the cable transportation system comprising a guide; a traction cable; and at least one transportation unit comprising a carriage, which is supported by the guide, is drawn by the traction cable along a given path, and comprises a frame, and a rolling assembly comprising at least one roller coupled to the guide; the method comprising the step of sensing a distance between the guide and a reference region on the carriage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a cable transportation system in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a partly sectioned side view of a carriage of the Figure 1 cable transportation system;
Figure 3 shows a top plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 2 carriage;
Figure 4 shows a partly sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 2 carriage;
Figure 5 shows a larger-scale, partly sectioned side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the Figure 2 carriage;
Figure 6 shows a larger-scale, partly sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the Figure 4 carriage;
Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a peripheral unit associated with the Figure 2 carriage.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a cable transportation system comprising a first passenger arrival/departure station 2; a second passenger arrival/departure station 3; a first pulley 4 located at first station 2 and powered by a motor M; a second pulley 5 located at second station 3; a guide 6 - in the example shown, two supporting cables 7 (only one shown in Figure 1) extending between first station 2 and second station 3; a traction cable 8 looped about first pulley 4 and second pulley 5; and transportation units 9 fitted to supporting cables 7 and clamped to traction cable 8. Cable transportation system 1, in fact, is a detachable cable transportation system, in which, at first and second arrival/departure stations 2 and 3, transportation units 9 are released from supporting cables 7 and traction cable 8, and are moved forward by respective auxiliary drive devices not shown in the drawings.
Each transportation unit 9 comprises a car 10 and a carriage 11.
With reference to Figure 3, each carriage 11 is fitted to supporting cables 7, is drawn by traction cable 8 along a given path P1, and comprises a frame 12; four rolling assemblies 13 which engage supporting cables 7; a clamp 14 for selectively connecting carriage 11 to traction cable 8, as shown more clearly in Figure 2; an arm 15 connected to frame 12 to support car 10; and rollers 16 and 17 which cooperate with the auxiliary drive devices at arrival/departure stations 2 and 3.
Frame 12 comprises two parallel cross beams 18; and a longitudinal beam 19 connecting cross beams 18.
With reference to Figure 3, the four rolling assemblies 13 are located at the corners of a hypothetical rectangle. In the example shown, each rolling assembly 13 is connected to a respective free end of cross beams 18.
With reference to Figure 2, each rolling assembly 13 comprises a rocker arm 20; and two rollers 21 fitted to rocker arm 20.
Rocker arm 20 is coupled to a free end of one of beams 18 to oscillate about an axis A1; and rollers 21 are mounted to rotate about respective axes A2 parallel to axis A1.
With reference to Figure 3, each roller 21 comprises two facing side plates 22; and a cylindrical central body 23 with a central groove 24 for housing one of supporting cables 7.
With reference to Figure 4, each cross beam 18 is substantially arc-shaped next to the ends, of the cross beam 18, faced to the supporting cables 7.
With reference to Figure 1, cable transportation system 1 comprises a safety device 25 and a control device 26.
Safety device 25 comprises aluminium shoes 27 fitted to carriage 11 and are suitable to be arranged around to the supporting cables 7 (Figures 5 and 6); a low-voltage power unit 28 for powering supporting cables 7; and a cut-off system 29 for cutting off motor M.
With reference to Figure 5, at each free end of cross beams 18, carriage 11 has a sleeve-shaped support 30, which is fixed to cross beam 18, is located between the two rollers 21 of relative rolling assembly 13, and supports a respective shoe 27.
With reference to Figure 6, each shoe 27 comprises a top wall 31, and two side walls 32. Top wall 31 and side walls 32 are coated with an insulating film 33 and, in use, face supporting cable 7.
With reference to Figure 1, control device 26 comprises sensing systems 34, each located on a respective carriage 11 and comprising a sensor 35 (Figures 5 and 6); peripheral units 36, each located on a respective transportation unit 9; and a central unit 37.
In the example shown in the drawings, carriage 11 comprises four sensing system 34, each located close to a respective rolling assembly 13.
With reference to Figure 5, sensor 35 of each sensing system 34 is located at a respective free end of cross beam 18, and extends between the two rollers 21 of relative rolling assembly 13.
In the Figure 5 and 6 example, sensor 35 is fixed to support 30, extends through an opening in top wall 31 of shoe 27, comprises an end face 38 facing supporting cable 7 in use, and is connected to peripheral unit 36 by an electric cable 39.
In a preferred embodiment, sensor 35 is an inductive sensor, which supplies a signal related to the distance D between a reference region on carriage 11 - in the example shown, the end face 38 of sensor 35 - and the surface 40 of supporting cable 7.
Sensing system 34 is thus able to determine any improper connections. For example, if supporting cable 7 is positioned as indicated by circle B1, sensing system 34 determines an improper connection of supporting cable 7 and roller 21, but safety device 25 does not intervene.
Likewise, unusually excessive wear of one of rollers 21 would result in supporting cable 7 being positioned as shown by circle B2, and in a noticeable reduction in the distance between end face 38 and surface 40 of supporting cable 7.
Sensing system 34 is also able to determine this type of anomaly, and to supply information as to the nature of the malfunction.
With reference to Figure 1, peripheral unit 36 comprises an input stage 41; an energy source, e.g. a battery, 42; a processing unit 43; and a radio transmitter-receiver 44 with an antenna 45.
In an embodiment not shown, the energy source comprises a generator mounted on transportation unit 9 and connected to one of supporting cables 7, so as to generate electric power from the movement of carriage 11 with respect to supporting cable 7, as described in Patent JP8133069A .
Central unit 37 comprises a radio transmitter-receiver 46 with an antenna 47; a control unit 48; and a user interface 49.
With reference to Figure 7, peripheral unit 36 receives signals from sensors 35 (Figure 5) of sensing systems 34. The signals are appropriately conditioned by input stage 41 and sent to processing unit 43, which transmits the signals, and data identifying the carriage 11 (Figure 1) and the sensors 35 (Figure 5) associated with the signals, over radio transmitter-receiver 44 to central unit 37 (Figure 1).
With reference to Figure 1, transmitter-receiver 46 of central unit 37 receives the information from peripheral units 36, and transmits it to control unit 48, which processes the information and, by means of user interface 49, indicates correct or abnormal operation.
The type of malfunction and information concerning the nature of the problem are displayed for each carriage 11 and each rolling assembly 13 of carriage 11.
With reference to Figure 1, if direct radio transmission poses problems, radio repeaters 50, each comprising an antenna 52, a transmitter-receiver 53 and an energy source 54, are installed on supports 51 between first and second arrival/departure station 2 and 3.
In an alternative embodiment, not shown, of the present invention, the radio repeaters are located elsewhere.
In another alternative embodiment, peripheral unit 36 and central unit 37 are connected by a transmission cable; radio transmitter-receiver 44 and antenna 45 of peripheral unit 36 are replaced by a cable transmitter-receiver of the peripheral unit; radio transmitter-receiver 46 and antenna 47 of the central unit are replaced by a cable transmitter-receiver of the central unit; and the transmission cable is defined by traction cable 8. In this embodiment, processing unit 43 sends the signals, and data identifying carriage 11 (Figure 1) and sensors 35 (Figure 5) associated with the signals, over the peripheral unit cable transmitter-receiver to central unit 37, which receives the information from peripheral units 36 over the central unit cable transmitter-receiver; this sends the information to control unit 48, which processes the information and, via user interface 49, indicates correct or abnormal operation.
The present invention also applies in general to cable transportation systems other than the one described, e.g. comprising only one supporting cable, or in which the guide is defined by a rail.
Though an inductive sensor is referred to specifically in the present description, it is understood that the present invention also applies to other types, including optical, image, capacitive, and piezoelectric sensors.
The present invention obviously also covers embodiments not described in detail herein, as well as equivalent embodiments which also fall within the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

A carriage for a cable transportation system (1); the cable transportation system (1) comprising a guide (6) and a traction cable (8); the carriage (11) being suitable to be supported by the guide (6), being suitable to be drawn by the traction cable (8) along a given path (P1), and comprising a frame (12); a rolling assembly (13) comprising at least one roller (21) couplable to the guide (6); and characterized by a sensing system (34) for sensing a distance (D) between the guide (6) and a reference region on the carriage (11).
A carriage as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sensing system (34) is fitted to the frame (12) and faces the guide (6).
A carriage as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the rolling assembly (13) comprises a further roller (21) coupled to said roller (21) by a rocker arm (20); said roller (21) and the further roller (21) each having a groove (24) for housing the guide (6); the sensing system (34) being located between said roller (21) and the further roller (21); and the sensing system (34) preferably being equidistant from said roller (21) and the further roller (21).
A carriage as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the sensing system (34) comprises a sensor (35).
A carriage as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the rolling assembly (13) is coupled in rocking manner to the frame (12).
A carriage as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, and comprising a plurality of sensing systems (34).
A carriage as claimed in Claim 6, and comprising a plurality of rolling assemblies (13); each sensing system (34) being located at a respective rolling assembly (13).
A carriage as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the sensing system (34) comprises a sensor (35), which may be an inductive sensor (35), an optical sensor, an image sensor, a capacitive sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor; the sensor (35) preferably being an inductive sensor.
A carriage as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the sensing system (34) comprises an electric cable (39).
A cable transportation system (1) comprising a guide (6); a traction cable (8); and at least one transportation unit (9) comprising a carriage (11) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims.
A cable transportation system (1) as claimed in Claim 10, and comprising a control device (26) comprising a central unit (37) and the sensing system (34).
A cable transportation system (1) as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the central unit (37) is coupled to the sensing system (34).
A cable transportation system (1) as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the control device (26) comprises at least one peripheral unit (36) on the transportation unit (9); the central unit (37) being coupled to the sensing system (34) by the peripheral unit (36); and the central unit (37) preferably being coupled by radio or cable to the peripheral unit (36).
A cable transportation system (1) as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the central unit (37) comprises a user interface (49) for indicating to a user the distance between the guide (6) and the reference region on the carriage (11).
A cable transportation system (1) as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the transportation unit (9) comprises an energy source (42).
A method of controlling a cable transportation system (1), the cable transportation system (1) comprising a guide (6); a traction cable (8); and at least one transportation unit (9) comprising a carriage (11), which is supported by the guide (6), is drawn by the traction cable (8) along a given path (P1), and comprises a frame (12), and a rolling assembly (13) comprising at least one roller (21) coupled to the guide (6); the method comprising the step of sensing a distance (D) between the guide (6) and a reference region on the carriage (11).
A method as claimed in Claim 16, and comprising the step of indicating said distance (D) to a user.