WO2024047113A1 - Rope conveying system, in particular for a recreational sports system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (10) in which a user (30) is towed by means of rope forces (46) through a movement region (20) which can be configured by software. The ropes (16) are parallel-kinematically connected at an anchor point (26), via which the user (30) is connected to the recreational sports system (10). By selectively tensioning the individual ropes (16), a controllable resultant tensile force (48) is created in the anchor point (26), which tensile force flexibly tows the user (30) along a movement path (40; 50).

Description

Rope conveyor system, especially for a fun sports facility

The present invention relates to a rope conveyor system and a system comprising a rope conveyor system. The invention further relates to a method for operating the system and a control system.

In the technical field of fun sports facilities, such as water skiing or wakeboarding facilities, concepts have long been established in which a pull rope is guided on a circular track or circle-like track. Various users of the system can latch on to the pull rope at safe distances and be pulled along. Such a concept is known, for example, from DE 10 2020 121 781 Al.

Alternatively, concepts are also known, for example from WO 2009/015878 A2, in which the user is pulled by a pull rope not on a circular path, but along a straight path.

What the known concepts have in common is that the user has practically no flexibility in the path of movement. Only one entry and exit point can be influenced by the user picking up or letting go of the pull rope. Furthermore, the known concepts are characterized by a relatively high energy consumption, since high friction losses occur, particularly in the guides of the pull rope. Particularly in circular guidance concepts, the absolute moving cable length and thus the total moving mass is also large.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a new concept for a rope conveyor system, for a system with a rope conveyor system and for a method for operating such a system. The new concept should be characterized by configurability, high user flexibility, energy efficiency and lower mechanical complexity. This applies in particular to a facility designed as a fun sports facility.

The task is solved by the subjects of independent claims 1, 10, 11 and 12. Preferred embodiments of the present invention result from the features mentioned in the subclaims and further from the present disclosure as a whole. A first aspect of the invention relates to a rope conveyor system, in particular for a fun sports facility, comprising several, in particular at least three rope conveyor devices, each with a rope and a control system with which the rope conveyor devices can be controlled, so that a free rope length of the rope conveyed by the respective rope conveyor device can be adjusted, wherein the ropes are kinematically coupled via a common anchor point and the rope conveying devices are arranged around the anchor point, so that the anchor point can be positioned in a range of motion spanned between the rope conveying devices.

In other words, several, in particular at least three, selectively tensionable ropes are provided, which are kinematically connected parallel to the anchor point. By individually tensioning or exerting tension forces on the ropes, at least three rope forces arise, which are superimposed at the anchor point to form a resulting rope force. The tensioning forces or tension of the ropes is achieved by moving the ropes, i.e. by adjusting the free rope length, which can take the form of lengthening or shortening. If three rope conveyors are arranged purely as an example in corner points of an equilateral triangle and the free rope lengths of all ropes are set identically, then the anchor point is located at the center of gravity of the triangle. If all ropes are then tensioned with the same rope force, the position of the anchor point does not change because the resulting rope force is zero. The free cable lengths and thus the cable forces can then be changed in a targeted manner in order to move the anchor point along any path of movement between the cable conveyor devices and to accelerate it in a targeted manner. A movement in one direction is therefore realized by pulling more strongly in the desired direction of movement, i.e. against this direction. To increase speed, this difference in tensile forces is further increased. To reduce the speed, the difference is reduced accordingly.

As long as all ropes remain taut, the movement of the anchor point occurs practically in one plane (i.e. apart from the unavoidable sagging of the ropes due to gravity). If one or more ropes are completely relaxed, the position of the anchor point can also change vertically outside of the plane. The movement path can be two-dimensional (and, for example, refer to a surface such as a surface of water, ice, asphalt, stone or snow), but it can also be three-dimensional in space. With a three-dimensional trajectory, movements can be carried out in all three spatial directions.

A user of the facility, which can be intended as a fun sports facility, can be connected to the anchor point in a manner suitable for the desired fun sport and can be pulled along with the anchor point. The facility can preferably be a water sports facility, for example a water ski or wakeboard facility. The fun sports facility can also be, for example, a streetboard facility or a facility for practicing another sport that requires a user to move along a trajectory caused by external pulling force. Furthermore, the system can be a transport system for transporting people or for transporting other objects.

The rope conveyor system can, for example, also be used indirectly for a fun sport, for example as a ski lift in the form of a drag lift. Although skiing does not require traction for the sport itself, it is impractical to reach a starting position at altitude on foot. Such a ski lift can, for example, flexibly approach different starting positions (e.g. beginner or professional starting points) on a slope and drag a user there. The rope conveyor system can also be used for purposes outside of the sports sector, for example as a transport device. As an example, in the tourism sector, for example in holiday villages with bungalows that are difficult to access, such a rope conveyor system can be set up above the holiday village and used for the comfortable transport of luggage or purchases.

The term rope is to be interpreted broadly in the context of the present invention. It includes any form of long, flexible bodies that are suitable for transmitting rope forces. Consequently, these can only be tensile forces.

The term anchor point is also to be interpreted broadly. This includes any form of connecting parts or connecting assemblies which can accommodate several, in particular three or more ropes and can transmit the rope forces that occur in a typical application. Furthermore, the anchor point offers a user interface. The anchor point preferably has a structure which can accommodate the ropes, taking into account changing angles of their impact during operation of the rope conveyor system. The same applies to the user interface. Purely as an example, the anchor point can include an axis on which the ropes are rotatably mounted one above the other. Furthermore, purely as an example, the user interface can also be rotatable and possibly pivotally mounted on or on the axle.

The cable conveyors can be arranged in a variety of arrangements around an area which is referred to as the movement area of the anchor point. The arrangement and the resulting directions in which the ropes can be tensioned define this range of motion. Based on the teachings disclosed herein, one skilled in the art is able to appropriately select the arrangement for a desired range of motion.

Preferably, the cable conveyor devices are arranged relative to one another in such a way that their distances from one another enclosing the range of movement describe a triangle or, if more than three cable conveyor devices are provided, describe a corresponding polygon.

More rope conveyor devices enable even faster changes in the components of the resulting rope force in the respective direction (in which the rope conveyor device can pull) in individual directions. This enables even faster movement changes and even more complex movement trajectories. As mentioned, the trajectory or trajectories can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional trajectories. A trajectory can also include partly a two-dimensional and partly a three-dimensional trajectory, i.e. be composed of a two-dimensional trajectory and a three-dimensional trajectory.

The cable conveyor devices themselves are preferably electrically driven. The fact that the cable conveyor devices are controllable implies in the context of the present teaching that they can preferably be regulated. There is no consistent conceptual distinction between these characteristics. As variables for control Drive data such as currents, voltages and rotor position data or rotation angle data can preferably be used.

To determine the free rope length, for example, the rotor position data can be evaluated and it can be determined how many revolutions have already occurred to wind or unwind the rope. The rope conveyor device can also include a measuring device for the free rope length, for example using a roller over which the rope runs when winding or unwinding.

From the free rope lengths and the position of the rope conveyor in the selected arrangement, the control system can at any time determine the position of the anchor point in the movement area, which must be the interface of all ropes. In other words, a vectorial addition of the free rope lengths of the ropes leads to an intersection where the anchor point lies. For this purpose, the control system includes a control device that is operatively connected to all rope conveyor devices.

The rope conveyor devices are designed accordingly in order to work together effectively in the system network. Important parameters here are the rope length stored on them with regard to the desired range of motion, performance data and achievable response times in the control.

The rope conveyor system of the invention therefore offers the advantage that almost any movement path (e.g. two-dimensional or three-dimensional or a combination thereof) can be described with the anchor point in the selected movement range. The increase in flexibility compared to conventional concepts is therefore significant.

The rope conveyor system of the invention is also extremely energy-efficient and force-efficient, since no additional rope guide devices are required and the associated friction losses are eliminated.

The rope conveyor system of the invention can also be implemented with particularly little effort, quickly and flexibly, since only a small number of individual components are required and the amount of mechanically moving parts is minimal. This also reduces wear and reduces operating costs. In a preferred embodiment of the rope conveyor system of the invention, it is provided that at least one movement path for the anchor point is stored in the control system. Preferably, several or different trajectories are stored with different kinematics, from which the user can select. A movement path can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. A movement trajectory can also be composed of a two-dimensional and three-dimensional partial movement path. Several different movement trajectories can therefore be stored in the control system.

A trajectory can be understood as an interconnected sequence of positions of the anchor point. This is particularly preferably a trajectory. A trajectory is a movement path that is also linked to dynamic, i.e. time-related, information. For example, speed or acceleration values can be stored for each position. However, there is no strict linguistic distinction between the terms movement path and trajectory. The movement path can preferably also be programmable or parameterizable. Programmable means that the positions and dynamic values can be freely compiled or additional movement trajectories can be newly stored. Parameterizable means that the positions or the dynamic values are provided with selectable sizes, but their combination is otherwise predetermined. In the context of the present teaching, parameterizability should also be understood as a sub-term for programmability. Selectable sizes can be, for example, lengths of a straight section or radii of a curved section of the movement path, whereby the basic sequence of the straight and curved sections can be predetermined. Furthermore, the selectable variables can be specific values or value ranges for speeds and accelerations that are already fundamentally linked to, for example, a straight or curved section.

In this way, user-friendly and comfortable operation is possible and great flexibility is guaranteed. Certain programs or parameters may also be blocked for security reasons, such as For example, speeds above a limit value near a start or destination position or in the area of other danger spots.

In a preferred embodiment of the cable conveyor system of the invention it is provided that the movement path is programmable while the anchor point is moved along the movement path. In other words, this can also be described as live programmability or programmability in real time.

A user or another operator can thus change the desired trajectory while using the rope conveyor system or the system, in particular a fun sports system.

In a preferred embodiment of the rope conveyor system of the invention, it is provided that at least one user interface is provided for programming the movement path, which contains an element from the following group: a manual data input device, a wireless interface for coupling a mobile input device, a sensor for detecting a gesture, a sensor for detecting a force, a sensor for detecting a voice command.

The manual data entry device can include, for example, a terminal of the control system. The wireless interface can, for example, allow a connection to a smartphone so that the user can make the desired entries via a corresponding app. The sensor for detecting a gesture, for example, is particularly suitable for live programming. The sensor can preferably be provided as a camera or several cameras that record the user in the movement range so that the control system can recognize specific operating gestures. As an example, such operating gestures can be given by hand signals to the left or right, whereupon the movement path is adjusted to the left or right. Likewise, hand signals could be given forward or backward, whereupon the speed is increased or decreased. The sensor for detecting a force, for example, is just as suitable for live programming. As an example, the sensor can be integrated into the anchor point and communicate with the control system, for example, wirelessly or through cables integrated into the ropes. In order to change a direction, for example, the user can lean more heavily in this direction or exert special "jerk impulses" on the anchor point. The offers a particularly high degree of flexibility Sensor for detecting a voice command, which is suitable for both live programming and programming before operation. The user can, for example, wear a headset to give the voice commands. This also makes it possible, for example, to select the trajectory for the next round in advance, while the previous round is still being traveled.

The flexibility of the rope conveyor system of the invention is thereby significantly increased.

In a preferred embodiment of the rope conveyor system of the invention, it is provided that one or more of the rope conveyor devices are mounted on the ground in a stationary or mobile manner.

Any structures that enable secure fastening can be considered as a base. Examples of stationary storage include storage on a mast, stone/rock or even a building. An example of mobile storage would be storage on a vehicle that is appropriately secured. This also significantly increases the flexibility of the rope conveyor system of the invention and allows a variety of locations where the rope conveyor system can be set up. It is even possible to set up the rope conveyor system temporarily, for example for an event.

In a preferred embodiment of the rope conveyor system of the invention, it is provided that a pull rope is additionally tied to the anchor point, which can be picked up by a user at its end facing away from the anchor point. For this purpose, the pull rope can preferably include a handle structure at this end.

According to one embodiment of the rope conveyor system, it can also be provided that an object is picked up directly at the anchor point (e.g. a package, a piece of luggage, a sensor, a camera). To record the object, an object recording device can be arranged or connected directly to the anchor point. The object recording device can be of any type suitable for recording an object, e.g. B. a transport net, a transport box, a transport container, a transport cabin, one or more gripping arms, clamping arms, screwing devices, etc. This is particularly useful if water skiing, wakeboarding or streetboarding systems are to be implemented as a fun sports facility. In this case, the “user” is a person who operates water skis, wakeboards, streetboards, etc.

If the cable conveyor system is used in a system designed as a transport system for other objects, a “user” is to be understood as an object, in particular a load or a transport item.

In a preferred embodiment of the cable conveyor system of the invention it is provided that electric cable winches are provided as cable conveyors.

These are also known as “electric winch”, “e-winch” for short. Such electric cable winches often have an electric motor, a brake, a rotary encoder, a cable drum and a cable guide device on and from the drum, which may have its own servomotor for clean winding and unwinding of the cable. Such electric cable winches can also include an integrated inverter or controller or can be directly connected to the control unit of the control system and a central inverter. Compared to conventional solutions, such an e-winch implementation has significantly higher rotational dynamics and bandwidth in terms of the real-time positioning of the anchor point.

Since the required electrical power is low compared to conventional concepts, the rope conveyor system of the invention can be operated extremely energy-efficiently. For a water ski or wakeboard system, for example, a total electrical nominal power of 100 W to 600 W, preferably 200 W to 600 W, is sufficient.

Such electric rope winches are ideal for achieving the required (dynamic) performance values as well as for controlling the free rope length and are very energy efficient, flexible and cost-effective.

In a preferred embodiment of the rope conveyor system of the invention it is provided that the rope conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims is characterized in that the rope conveyor system is or can be equipped with a regenerative energy source. Due to the low power requirement of the rope conveyor system of the invention, it can, for example, be supplied entirely via photovoltaic modules that can be set up flexibly. This even makes emission-free operation possible. It should be mentioned that instead of being equipped with a renewable energy source, other (classic or conventional) energy sources can also be used to operate the rope conveyor system.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a control system designed to control a rope conveyor system according to the invention according to the present disclosure.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a system, in particular a fun sports facility, comprising a rope conveyor system according to the invention according to the present disclosure, wherein rope conveyors of the rope conveyor system are arranged relative to a traffic surface in such a way that a common anchor point of ropes of the rope conveyors, in a tensioned state of the ropes, can be arranged above the traffic surface and that a vertical projection of the traffic surface overlaps at least in sections with a movement range of the anchor point.

The traffic surface can preferably be a water surface or an asphalt surface. Other traffic surfaces (all ground surfaces and even air) are also conceivable. The fun sports facility of the invention can therefore preferably be a water ski, wakeboard system or even a streetboard system.

Preferably, the ropes are tensioned so that the anchor point is at a constant height above the traffic surface, particularly preferably about 6 m to 10 m above the traffic surface.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a system according to the invention, in particular a fun sports system, according to the present disclosure. The method of the invention includes the following steps:

- Adjustment of free rope lengths of ropes of a rope conveyor system by a control system, so that an anchor point of the rope conveyor system is at a starting position is positioned. A user (e.g. a person or another object such as a load or a transport item) of the system, in particular a fun sports facility, can then kinematically couple to the anchor point.

- Detection of a start signal for moving the anchor point along a trajectory by the control system. The start signal can be given, for example, by another operator or, for example, by a gesture from the user.

- Control of the free rope lengths by the control system in such a way that the anchor point follows the movement path. For example, the user on a wakeboard can then be pulled through a range of motion to an end position.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, it is provided that at least one rope conveyor of the rope conveyor system, towards which the anchor point moves at a time, applies a rope force that is greater than a rope force of at least one other rope conveyor from which the anchor point is located point in time removed.

As mentioned at the beginning, the difference in the rope forces can be used to effectively control the speed and acceleration vectors of the anchor point and, associated with it, those of the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, it is provided that a user of the system, in particular a fun sports system, gives a user command at least once via a user interface of the control system, which leads to the movement path being changed during operation.

This can be done, for example, via the gesture control mentioned above. A real or physical interaction of the user via an introduced user movement or user force, which is detected via a force or torque sensor, preferably via the cable forces and the corresponding e-winch torques, has proven to be particularly efficient.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention it is provided that during operation rope forces are measured directly or indirectly by the control system and a change is detected at least once which is characteristic of the fact that a user of the system, in particular a fun sports system, has a rope tied to the anchor point Lost pull rope, or that one Object recorded by an object recording device directly connected to the anchor point was lost.

This means, for example, that a fallen user or lost object can be detected. The detection can take place, for example, via current signals, motor forces or even bearing forces in the storage of the cable conveyor devices, since the signal curves have characteristic dynamics at the moment the traction cable or object is lost. A sensor can also be integrated into the pull rope and measure the rope force in the pull rope directly. The measurement data can be read out, for example, wirelessly or through cables integrated into the ropes of one or more rope conveyor devices. Such a sensor can also be arranged in the anchor point or in the vicinity of the anchor point (e.g. in the said object receiving device) in order to measure or determine the rope forces present in the ropes.

The safety and “intelligence” of the facility, especially the fun sports facility, is significantly increased and allows specific measures.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, it can be provided that a loss position on the movement path is saved by the control system and the anchor point is then automatically returned to the loss position.

This allows the user to immediately pick up the pull rope or pick up the object, so that in addition to safety, ease of use and flexibility are significantly increased.

To summarize again in other words, the invention proposes a system, in particular a fun sports system, in which a user is pulled by rope forces through a range of motion that can preferably be configured using software. The ropes are kinematically connected parallel to an anchor point to which the user is connected. By selectively tensioning the individual ropes, a controllable resulting tensile force is created at the anchor point, which flexibly pulls the user or an object along a movement path. In principle, all features that are disclosed herein with reference to certain aspects or embodiments can also be combined in a technically meaningful manner with other aspects or embodiments of the invention. This also applies across different technical objects and object categories. In particular, this also applies to individual features in extracts, as long as this is not explicitly pointed out herein or it is obvious through a technical contradiction that there is an inseparable functional-technical connection between certain features that must be maintained in order to carry out the invention.

Examples of embodiments

The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments and schematic drawings. Show here:

Figure 1 shows a fun sports facility with a rope conveyor system and a method for operating it;

Figure 2 shows a fun sports facility in a further embodiment;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a control system for a fun sports facility;

Figure 4 shows an exemplary stationary storage option for a rope conveyor device; and

Figure 5 shows an exemplary mobile storage option for a rope conveyor device.

Figure 1 shows a system 10 according to the invention, which is designed as a fun sports system, with a rope conveyor system 12 according to the invention. The following statements refer to a design of the system 10 as a fun sports system; other uses of the system 10 are not excluded.

The rope conveyor system 12 comprises at least three rope conveyor devices 14, each with a rope 16 and a, preferably electrical, control system 18. The rope conveyor devices 14 are arranged in such a way that a movement range 20 is spanned between them, which is preferably configurable via software is. Optionally, more than three rope conveyors 14, each with a rope 16, can be provided, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 by a line shown in dot-dash lines associated with a rope 16. Preferably, four cable conveyor devices 14 are provided, since the optimal cost here lies in the ratio of the available range of motion 20 to the system costs.

The rope conveyor devices 14 are operatively connected to the control system 18 in such a way (indicated by dash-dot lines) that a free rope length 22 of the respective rope 16 in the movement range 20 can be controlled by winding or unwinding the rope conveyor device 14, whereby the ropes 16 can be tensioned against each other. Specifically, in the present example, this is achieved by means of electric cable winches 24, which are examined in more detail in Figure 3. The cable winches 24 are preferably electro-mechanical systems.

The tension can be built up because the ropes 16 are kinematically coupled via a common anchor point 26. The anchor point 26 therefore comprises a connection point of all ropes 16. As a result of a targeted change in the tension and the free rope length 22 of individual ropes 16, the anchor point 26 can be dynamically positioned in the movement range 20.

In the context of the system 10, i.e. the fun sports facility, the rope conveyor devices 14 are arranged relative to a traffic surface 28, here for example a water surface, in such a way that the common anchor point 26 of the ropes 16, when the ropes 16 are in a tensioned state, is above the traffic surface 28 is arranged. A vertical projection 58 (see FIG. 2) of the traffic surface 28 overlaps with the movement area 20 of the anchor point 26, which is spanned by the cable conveyor devices 14 arranged around the movement area 20.

In the present, purely exemplary version, facility 10, i.e. the fun sports facility, forms a wakeboarding facility. A user 30 can couple to the anchor point 26, here for example via a pull rope 32 that is additionally tied to the anchor point 26 and can be guided to the user 30.

In the illustrated example, the cable conveyor devices 14 are mounted stationary on the ground 34, here purely as an example via two masts 36 and a building 38, whereby the storage can also take place, for example, on a natural structure such as a natural rock formation 39 (see Fig. 2). An exemplary further option for storage will be presented later using Figure 5.

The user 30 can then be pulled through the movement range 20 using the anchor point 26.

A method according to the invention for operating the system 10, i.e. the fun sports facility, will now be explained with reference to FIG.

To prepare for operation, a movement path 40 for the anchor point 26 is stored in the control system 18, along which the user 30 can be pulled.

In a first step of the method, the free rope lengths 22 of the ropes 16 are adjusted by the control system 18, so that the anchor point 26 is positioned at a starting position 42, which is illustrated purely as an example in FIG.

In the next step, a start signal for moving the anchor point 26 along the movement path 40 is detected by the control system 18. As can be seen in Figure 1, the cable conveyor system 12 in this example includes an optional sensor 44 for detecting user behavior, which is operatively connected to the control system 18 is (also indicated by the dash-dot line). The sensor 44 is designed here to visually detect a gesture of the user 30 and to transmit it to the control system 18. The control system 18 can then recognize the start signal from the gesture. The sensor 44 can preferably be a camera.

After detection of the start signal, the free cable lengths 22 are dynamically controlled by the control system 18 in such a way that the anchor point 26 follows the movement path 40. This is achieved by the resulting cable forces 46, which are superimposed in the anchor point 26 to form a resulting cable force 48. The resulting rope force 48 corresponds to the force vector that effectively accelerates the anchor point 26 according to its direction and magnitude. For example, a rope force 46 that is greater (illustrated by the longest arrow 46) than one is applied by one of the rope conveying devices 14 (here, as an example, the one on the right in FIG. 1), towards which the anchor point 26 is supposed to move at a given time Cable force 46 of at least one other cable conveyor device 14 (here, for example, the two on the left in Figure 1), from which the anchor point 26 should move away at the same time.

Optionally, it can also be provided that the movement path 40 is programmable while the anchor point 26 is moved along the movement path 40. By way of example, analogous to above, this can also be achieved through gestures by the user 30. For this purpose, the sensor 44 can, for example, detect hand signals to the left or right, from which the control system 18 recognizes corresponding steering commands.

The user 30 can, for example, give user commands via the sensor 44, which results in the movement path 40 being changed during operation according to a desired movement path 50, which is illustrated by way of example in FIG.

In an advantageous optional embodiment of the method, the cable forces 46 can be measured during operation directly or indirectly by the control system 18 for purposes other than purely guiding the movement of the anchor point 26. If the user 30 loses the pull rope 32, for example, a sudden change in the rope forces 46 can be detected. Of course, the loss can also be detected via the sensor 44, for example. Based on this, advantageous operating modes can be provided, such as that a loss position 52 of the anchor point 26 and thus an approximate loss position 52 of the pull rope 32 on the movement path 40 is saved by the control system 18 and the anchor point 26 is then automatically moved to the loss position 52 and thus to the User 30 is returned.

Since the cable conveyor system 12 works very energy-efficiently, it can be supplied up to 100% with a renewable energy source 54. This is shown in Figure 1 as an example as a mobile solar system, for example a photovoltaic system. The mobile solar system can include its own energy storage. Figure 2 shows another system 10 designed as a fun sports facility, which can essentially correspond to that from Figure 1. The focus of Figure 2 is on the illustration of the layout of the system 10, which is why it is shown in a top view.

The cable conveyor devices 14 can be seen, four of which are provided here as an example. The cable conveyor devices 14 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that their distances 56 from one another, which enclose the movement area 20, describe a polygon corresponding to their number, which is trapezoidal here.

The traffic surface 28, here in the form of a lake, overlaps in sections in a vertical projection 58 with the movement area 20, which here lies completely within the vertical projection 58 of the lake. Thus, in the movement area 20, which can be fully utilized, a variety of desired movement paths 50 are possible without leaving the water. The layout is chosen here so that an edge of the movement area 20 adjoins a starting position 42 in the form of an entry and exit point.

While three of the four cable conveyor devices 14, as already mentioned above, are mounted on masts 36, the cable conveyor device 14 is mounted directly on the ground 34 at the top right in FIG. The subsoil 34 is formed here as an example by a natural rock formation 39.

With further reference to Figure 3, a block diagram of a control system 18 for a system 10 designed as a fun sports facility will now be described. The described control system 18 is designed here as an example to control the previously described rope conveyor systems 12, but is not limited to these. Therefore, purely for explanation purposes, reference is made to the other figures and the same reference numbers are used.

The control system 18 is illustrated in Figure 3 in the context of the rope conveyor system 12. The control system 18 includes at least one control device 60, which centrally controls the individual cable conveyor devices 14 and coordinates them with one another so that the anchor point 26 describes the desired movement path 50. For this purpose, the control unit 60 can exchange data with the cable conveyor devices 14, which can be done in a wired or wireless manner. The control unit 60 may include, for example, an industrial computer with motion control software.

In the example shown, the control device 60 is connected to the cable conveyor devices 14 via a wired data line 62.

The cable conveyor devices 14, which are designed as electric cable winches 24, are also shown as a block diagram, as an example on the left in FIG. The data line 62 is each connected to an internal control device 64 of the respective cable conveyor device 14. The internal control device 64 controls the subsystems of the rope conveyor 14, for example a servo motor 66 and possibly a brake 68 or an optional gear 70 of the rope conveyor 14. The servo motor 66 can also be used to precisely determine the free rope length 22 using its rotary angle sensor. by measuring the number of revolutions when the rope 16 is pulled off a rope drum 74 of the rope conveyors 14 by the rope force 46 of another rope conveyors 14. The brake 68 in turn can be used to apply the cable force 46 when the cable 16 is pulled off the cable drum 74. When the rope conveyor system 12 is not in operation, the brake 68 can also ensure that the rope 16 is kept under tension and the anchor point 26 does not sink. Furthermore, the internal control device 64 can control a cable guide mechanism 72 for clean winding onto or from the cable drum 74.

The internal control device 64 therefore controls all variables that, for reasons of reaction time, should expediently be processed locally in the cable conveyor device 14, instead of first having to be sent via the data line 62 to the higher-level control device 60 of the control system 18.

In contrast, the control device 60 controls all variables that must be coordinated between the different cable conveyor devices 14 in order to achieve the movement on the desired trajectory 50. These are in particular the time-coordinated cable forces 46 of the individual cables 16 of the cable conveyor devices 14, which are transmitted to the respective internal control device 64, for example in the form of target engine performance data or target braking data. Just for systematic clarification, it should be noted that the cable conveyor devices 14 are not considered part of the control system 18, but rather interact with it and are illustrated to explain them.

The control system 18 further includes an energy source 76, for example in the form of the renewable energy source 54 or conventionally in the form of an AC supply network. This is connected to an inverter 80 via a power line 78 or can also directly supply the internal control devices 64, which can include a motor inverter, for example. The supply voltage is distributed to the cable conveyor devices 14 and the control device 60 via the inverter 80 provided in FIG. The inverter 80 can be, for example, a PFC, AC/DC converter or rectifier.

The supply voltage is then modulated on the respective cable conveyor device 14 by its internal control device 64 for the intended control of the cable conveyor device 14.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary stationary storage option for a cable conveyor device 14 in more detail. As already mentioned in the previous figures, the cable conveyor device 14 of the cable conveyor system 12 can be mounted on a mast 36. The mast 36 expediently has a foundation 82 which is embedded in the subsoil 34. For further stabilization, guy ropes 84 are expediently provided, which are also anchored in the subsoil 34 via foundations 82.

5 shows an exemplary mobile storage option for a rope conveyor device 14 of the rope conveyor system 12. This is done via a vehicle 86, which serves as a mobile platform for the rope conveyor device 14. On the vehicle 86, the cable conveyor device 14 can, if necessary, be mounted on a type of mast 36 in order to create the possibility of height adjustment. The vehicle 86 can expediently also be supported with a mechanical safety device 88 against the cable forces 46 that occur. With such mobile bearings, the rope conveyor system 12 and thus the system 10 designed as a fun sports facility can be set up and dismantled flexibly and easily.

Reference symbol list

10 facility

12 rope conveyor system 14 rope conveyor device

16 rope

18 control system

20 range of motion

22 free rope length 24 winch

26 anchor point

28 traffic surface

30 users

32 pull rope 34 underground

36 mast

38 buildings

39 natural rock formation

40 Trajectory 42 Starting position

44 sensors

46 rope strength

48 resulting rope force

50 desired trajectory 52 loss position

54 renewable energy source

56 distance

58 vertical projection

60 control unit 62 data line

64 internal control unit

66 servo motor

68 brake

70 Gear 72 Cable guide mechanism

74 cable drum 76 energy source

78 power line

80 inverters

82 Foundation 84 Guy rope

86 vehicle

88 fuse

Claims

Patent claims 1. Rope conveyor system (12), comprising several rope conveyor devices (14), each with a rope (16) and a control system (18), with which the rope conveyor devices (14) can be controlled, so that a free rope length (22) of the respective rope conveyor device ( 14) conveyed rope (16) is adjustable, the ropes (16) being kinematically coupled via a common anchor point (26) and the rope conveying devices (14) being arranged around the anchor point (26), so that the anchor point (26) is in one The movement range (20) spanned between the cable conveyor devices (14) can be positioned. 2. Cable conveyor system (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable conveyor system (12) comprises at least three cable conveyor devices (14). 3. Rope conveyor system (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one movement path (40; 50) for the anchor point (26) is stored in the control system (18). 4. Rope conveyor system (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that the movement path (40; 50) is programmable while the anchor point (26) is moved along the movement path (40; 50). 5. Rope conveyor system (12) according to claim 4, characterized in that for programming the movement path (40; 50) at least one user interface is provided, which contains an element from the following group: a manual data input device, a wireless interface for coupling a mobile input device , a sensor (44) for detecting a gesture, a sensor for detecting a force, a sensor for detecting a voice command. 6. Rope conveyor system (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more of the rope conveyor devices (14) are mounted stationary or mobile on the ground (34). Rope conveyor system (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pull rope (32) is additionally connected to the anchor point (26), which can be picked up by a user (30) at its end facing away from the anchor point (26), or that An object receiving device for receiving an object is arranged directly at the anchor point (26). Cable conveyor system (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that electric cable winches (24) are provided as cable conveyor devices (14). Cable conveyor system (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable conveyor system (12) is equipped with a regenerative energy source (54). Control system (18), designed to control a rope conveyor system (12) according to one of the preceding claims. System (10), comprising a rope conveyor system (12) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein rope conveyors (14) of the rope conveyor system (12) are arranged relative to a traffic surface (28) in such a way that a common anchor point (26) of ropes ( 16) of the rope conveyor devices (14), in a tensioned state of the ropes (16), can be arranged above the traffic surface (28) and that a vertical projection (58) of the traffic surface (28) at least in sections with a movement range (20) of the anchor point ( 26) overlaps. Method for operating a system (10) according to claim 11, comprising the following steps: - Setting free rope lengths (22) of ropes (16) of a rope conveyor system (12) by a control system (18), so that an anchor point (26) of the rope conveyor system (12) is positioned at a starting position (42); - Detection of a start signal for moving the anchor point (26) along a movement path (40; 50) by the control system (18); - Control of the free rope lengths (22) by the control system (18) in such a way that the anchor point (26) follows the movement path (40; 50). Method according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one cable conveyor device (14) of the cable conveyor system (12), towards which the anchor point (26) moves at a time, applies a cable force (46) which is greater than a cable force (46) at least one other cable conveyor device (14) from which the anchor point (26) moves away at the same time. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a user (30) of the system (10) gives a user command at least once via a user interface of the control system (18), which leads to the movement path (40; 50) during operation is changed. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that during operation rope forces (46) are measured directly or indirectly by the control system (18) and a change is detected at least once which is characteristic of the fact that a user (30) the system (10) has lost a pull rope (32) tied to the anchor point (26), or that an object picked up by an object recording device tied directly to the anchor point (26) has been lost. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that a lost position (52) on the movement path (40; 50) is stored by the control system (18) and the anchor point (26) is then automatically returned to the lost position (52).