A ski lift, specifically a detachable gondola or chairlift, slows down by allowing individual chairs to detach from the main moving cable at the terminal stations.
The Mechanism of Slowing Down
Ski lifts that operate at high speeds for the main run use a clever system to ensure passengers can safely board and exit. The core mechanism for slowing down involves the detachable grip.
Here's how it works:
- High-Speed Cable: The main cable moves at a speed much faster than passengers could safely load or unload.
- Detachable Grip: Each chair is connected to the main cable by a powerful spring-loaded cable grip. This grip securely holds the chair to the moving cable during the journey up the mountain.
- Terminal Stations: As a chair approaches a terminal (either the base for loading or the top for unloading), the grip is designed to release from the main cable.
- Transfer to Slow Track: Once detached, the chair is transferred onto a separate track within the terminal area. This track moves at a significantly slower speed.
- Slow Travel for Loading/Unloading: The chair then travels along this slow track, allowing passengers ample time to comfortably and safely get on or off.
According to the reference provided, each chair is connected to the cable by a powerful spring-loaded cable grip which detaches at terminals, allowing the chair to slow considerably for convenient loading and unloading. This process reduces the chair's speed to a typical loading/unloading speed of 200 ft/min (2 mph, 4 km/h, 1 m/s).
This system allows the lift to transport people quickly over long distances while providing a safe and convenient experience at the beginning and end of the ride.
Key Components:
- Main Cable: Operates at high speed.
- Detachable Grip: Connects the chair to the main cable and releases at terminals.
- Terminal Stations: Areas where chairs detach and reattach, operating at slow speed.
- Slow Track: A separate path within terminals for chairs moving at reduced speed.
This technology enables the efficiency of high-speed lifts while maintaining safety standards for passengers.
