Towing machine for tug and operation method of towing machine

Abstract

The invention provides a towing winch for a towing wheel and an operation method of the towing winch, and relates to the technical field of towing operation equipment, the towing winch for the towing wheel comprises a machine base, a driving motor, a speed reducer, a winding drum, a brake frame, a cable guide frame, a suspension supporting guide frame, a cable locking frame, a labor-saving wheel set and a PLC control box; the driving motor is installed on the machine base and used for providing power for cable winding and cable unwinding. The winding drum is installed on one side of the driving motor, and the winding drum is rotationally connected with an output shaft of the driving motor through a speed reducer. The locking mechanism adopts a two-stage action mode of combining pre-buffering based on a magnetic repulsion principle and mechanical inclined plane locking. In the locking process, magnetic resistance is firstly and gently overcome, then firm mechanical locking force is applied, the process effectively avoids huge impact load generated by instant locking of a traditional lock, the risk of instant damage to a cable structure is greatly reduced, and soft and stable locking and firm and reliable keeping are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of towing cable operation equipment, and in particular to a towing cable machine for tugboats and its operation method. Background Technology

[0002] As the core deck machinery for tugboats performing towing, pushing, and mooring operations, the performance of towing winches directly affects operational efficiency and navigational safety. Traditional towing winches typically consist of a drive motor, gearbox, drum, and mechanical brakes, and their functionality heavily relies on the operator's experience and immediate reaction. Under complex marine conditions, such equipment exposes several inherent defects. First, the control of cable tension is extremely rudimentary, lacking real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment mechanisms. When encountering wind and waves or ship maneuvering, the cable tension is prone to sudden increases or decreases. The former may lead to cable breakage or equipment overload damage, while the latter may cause the cable to slip, accumulate, or even detach from the guide wheel, resulting in safety accidents. Second, the arrangement of the cable on the drum relies entirely on manual observation and simple guides, making it highly susceptible to overlapping and cable biting. This not only accelerates cable wear and shortens its service life but also may cause jamming due to tangled ropes during emergency releases. Furthermore, traditional mechanical brakes have slow response and large braking impact, while cable locking operations often rely on manual clamps or simple hydraulic clamps, which can lead to problems such as insufficient locking force, rough handling that damages the cable, or inconvenient unlocking. In addition, the entire operation process has a low degree of automation, high labor intensity for personnel, and a lack of coordination between various functional units (such as drive, cable laying, and braking), making it difficult to cope with highly dynamic operating environments. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a cable-dragging machine for tugboats and its operating method. Through intelligent centralized scheduling by a PLC control box, it deeply integrates and coordinates multiple functional modules such as power drive, precise cable laying, real-time tension monitoring, multi-level buffer absorption, rapid active locking, and efficient mechanical braking.

[0004] This invention provides a cable towing winch for tugboats, comprising: a base, a drive motor, a reducer, a drum, a brake frame, a cable guide frame, a suspension guide frame, a cable locking frame, a labor-saving wheel set, and a PLC control box; the drive motor is mounted on the base and provides power for cable winding and unwinding; the drum is mounted on one side of the drive motor, and the drum is rotatably connected to the output shaft of the drive motor via the reducer, for winding and storing cable; the brake frame is mounted on the other end of the drum and provides braking for the drum; the base on the front side of the drum is equipped with... Parallel cable guides are used to guide the cables to be neatly arranged on the drum; the suspension guide is set on the cable path outside the cable guide, and the suspension guide has a cable locking frame, which is used to guide the cable outside the cable guide in advance and lock the cable during towing; the labor-saving wheel set is used to connect the cable outside the suspension guide, one end of the labor-saving wheel set guides the cable to the hook, and hooks it back to the machine base through the hook, and the other end of the labor-saving wheel set is hooked to the end of the ship's cable to be towed through the towing hook; the PLC control box is installed on one side of the machine base.

[0005] Optionally, a hook is provided at one end of the machine base near the force-saving wheel assembly, and the hook is pulled onto the machine base by the hook.

[0006] Optionally, a brake drum is fixedly provided at one end of the drum shaft corresponding to the brake frame.

[0007] Optionally, the brake frame is rotatably mounted with two brake levers, which are respectively placed on both sides of the brake drum. A brake disc is fixed on the brake lever at the position corresponding to the brake drum. A hydraulic cylinder is vertically mounted on one side of the brake frame. The upper end of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is rotatably connected to a pull arm through a pin. The other end of the pull arm is rotatably connected to the upper end of the far brake lever through a connecting rod. The lower end of the pull arm is rotatably connected to the upper end of the near brake lever through a pin. When the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder retracts, the end of the pull arm connected to the hydraulic cylinder moves down. The pull arm and the upper end of the near brake lever act as a fulcrum to perform lever motion, and the two brake discs move closer to the brake drum to hug it tightly.

[0008] Optionally, a cable guide sleeve is rotatably installed in the cable guide frame, and a reciprocating screw is rotatably installed parallel to the cable guide sleeve. A cable guide motor is installed at one end of the cable guide sleeve, and the rotating shaft of the cable guide motor is fixedly connected to the reciprocating screw through a coupling. The reciprocating screw is provided with a bidirectional reciprocating track, and the reciprocating screw is rotatably connected to the cable guide. Fan-shaped limiting plates are fixedly provided at both ends of the cable guide frame near the upper side of the drum. An arc groove is opened on the outer side of the limiting plate near the arc edge. The rotating shafts at both ends of the cable guide sleeve pass through the cable guide frame and are vertically fixedly provided with limiting arms. The ends of the limiting arms are slidably placed in the arc groove of the limiting plate through pins. The cable guide sleeve and the reciprocating screw part rotate 0-120 degrees on the cable guide frame.

[0009] Optionally, the cable guide is provided with a guide roller for guiding the cable at the position where the cable passes, and a slot is provided at the position of the cable guide corresponding to the cable guide sleeve rod.

[0010] Optionally, the upper end of the suspension guide is rotatably mounted with a guide seat via a rotating shaft. Tensioning wheels are respectively provided at both ends of the guide seat. The cable passes between the upper ends of the two tensioning wheels. A movable slot is vertically opened on the guide seat at the location of the tensioning wheel. The rotating shaft of the tensioning wheel passes through the movable slot and rotatably engages with a tensioning sleeve block. A tensioning buffer rod is vertically provided at the lower end of the tensioning sleeve block. The tensioning buffer rod slides vertically through a fixed plate below, which is fixedly connected to the guide seat. A tension spring is fitted onto the tensioning buffer rod. A hanging shaft is vertically provided at the upper middle part of the sidewalls at both ends of the guide seat. A tension sensor is connected to the shaft of the tensioning wheel near the force-saving wheel assembly to detect the force exerted by the cable on the tensioning wheel and convert it into a tension signal. The tensioning wheel contacts the cable and rotates with the movement of the cable. Four guide plates are vertically provided on the suspension guide between the two tensioning wheels, and the cable passes between the guide plates.

[0011] Optionally, a cable-locking cylinder is fixedly installed at one end of the cable-locking frame near the cable guide frame. The end of the piston rod of the cable-locking cylinder is fixedly connected to a cable-locking pressure block. The cable-locking pressure block slides tangentially to the top of the inner frame of the cable-locking frame. The lower end of the cable-locking pressure block has an inclined structure away from the cable-locking cylinder. A locking block is provided below the cable-locking pressure block. The locking block slides vertically between four guide plates. The upper end of the locking block has an inclined structure corresponding to the lower end of the cable-locking pressure block. Locking plates are vertically spaced evenly inserted into the locking block. The locking plates are distributed in a stepped manner along the upper inclined surface. The locking plates have a "T" shaped structure. The upper ends of the locking plates are made of magnets. Magnetic grooves are provided at the top of the locking block along the edges of the inclined surface. The magnetic grooves have the same magnetism as the locking plate's fins. Under the push of the cable-locking cylinder, the cable-locking pressure block first squeezes the locking plates downward, and then squeezes the locking blocks. The lower section locks the lower cable. Connecting guides are provided on both the left and right sides of the locking block. Two connecting arms are rotatably connected to the connecting guides via pins. The upper connecting arm is rotatably connected to one side wall of the locking block, and the lower connecting arm is rotatably connected to the lower hanging shaft. A guide rod is provided vertically towards the end of the connecting guide near the force-saving wheel assembly. The guide rod slides vertically through the support frame of the cable locking frame. A buffer spring is fitted on the guide rod, providing a thrust to one side of the locking block. A rectangular pressure frame is fixedly connected between the ends of the two guide rods. The cable passes through the pressure frame. Two symmetrical clamping guide blocks are slidably installed in the pressure frame. A clamping rod is vertically provided at the outer end of the clamping guide block, sliding vertically through the side wall of the pressure frame. A clamping spring is fitted on the clamping rod. The clamping guide block is used to clamp the cable.

[0012] Optionally, the labor-saving wheel assembly is equipped with a pulley, and the cable passes through the pulley and is fixedly connected to the tow hook.

[0013] A method for operating a tugboat towing cable winch includes the following steps: S1. Cable connection and deployment: The cable is sequentially passed through the cable guide, between the guide plates on the suspension guide frame, the upper side of the tension wheel, and the pressure frame in the cable locking frame, and then around the pulley of the labor-saving pulley group; the towing hook at one end of the labor-saving pulley group is connected to the cable end of the vessel to be towed, and the hook at the other end is hooked back onto the hook ring on the machine base; S2. Cable winding / unwinding and tension sensing: The drive motor is started, and the drum is driven to rotate through the reducer to perform cable winding or unwinding operations; during this process, the cable drives the... The tension wheel on the suspension guide rotates, and the tension sensor monitors the cable tension in real time and feeds back the signal to the PLC control box; S3. Synchronous cable guiding: During the cable winding / unwinding process, the cable guiding motor is started, driving the reciprocating screw to rotate, which in turn drives the cable guide connected to it to reciprocate along the axial direction of the cable guide sleeve, guiding the cable to be neatly arranged on the drum; at the same time, according to the relative angle between the cable and the drum, the limiting arm slides in the arc groove of the limiting plate, so that the cable guide sleeve and the reciprocating screw can adaptively deflect within the range of 0-120 degrees; S4. Cable Locking Operation: When it is necessary to urgently secure the cable or maintain a specific tension, the PLC control box controls the cable locking cylinder to extend, pushing the cable locking block downwards; the cable locking block first squeezes the locking plate to overcome the magnetic repulsion and move downwards, then its inclined surface presses the inclined surface of the locking block downwards, so that the locking block cooperates with the guide plate to press and lock the cable; S5. Brake Control: When it is necessary to brake the drum, the PLC control box controls the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder on the brake frame to retract; the piston rod drives the lower end of the pull arm to move downwards, so that the pull arm is close to the proximal end The connection point of the brake lever acts as a fulcrum for lever motion. The connecting rod pulls the distal brake lever, causing the brake discs on both brake levers to grip the brake drum together, thus achieving braking. S6. Dynamic buffering and protection: During operation, when the cable tension fluctuates, the tensioning wheel performs up-and-down buffering motion through the tension buffer rod and tension spring below it. At the same time, the clamping guide block in the pressure frame clamps the cable under the action of the clamping spring, and the linkage buffering mechanism composed of the connecting guide frame, connecting arm and buffer spring buffers the changes in cable tension in the cable locking frame area.

[0014] This invention provides a tugboat towing winch and its operating method, which has the following beneficial effects: The tugboat towing machine and its operating method provided by this invention, through a series of innovative design integrations and intelligent control, have achieved significant progress in terms of operational safety, operation automation, cable protection and system stability compared with traditional towing equipment, and have produced multi-dimensional beneficial effects.

[0015] Regarding core safety performance, this solution constructs a multi-level protection system combining active and passive mechanisms. Its locking mechanism employs a two-stage action combining pre-buffering based on the principle of magnetic repulsion with mechanical inclined plane locking. During locking, magnetic resistance is first overcome smoothly, followed by a firm mechanical locking force. This process effectively avoids the enormous impact load generated by the instantaneous locking of traditional locks, greatly reducing the risk of instantaneous damage to the cable structure and achieving "gentle and smooth locking, and firm and reliable retention." Simultaneously, the braking system adopts a symmetrical lever amplification design, synchronously driving both braking units through a single power source, achieving balanced and efficient engagement of the brake drum. This symmetrical braking method not only provides large braking torque and rapid response but also completely eliminates the problems of uneven load, vibration, and abnormal wear of the brake drum that are easily caused by unilateral braking, ensuring the smoothness and reliability of the braking process.

[0016] In terms of improving work quality and equipment durability, the cable guiding system of this invention demonstrates a high degree of adaptability and precision. This system not only drives the cable guide in precise axial reciprocating motion to achieve cable laying, but its core innovation lies in the guide assembly's overall ability to adaptively deflect angles over a wide range. This ensures that regardless of how the cable's entry and exit angles dynamically change with working conditions during cable laying, the guide device can always automatically adjust to the angle optimally aligned with the cable's tangential direction. This guarantees that each turn of the cable is tightly and smoothly wound onto the drum, fundamentally eliminating phenomena such as tangled ropes, overlapping, and rope biting. This not only protects expensive cables from abnormal wear and extends their service life but also ensures smooth and rapid cable release in emergency situations.

[0017] At the level of automation and intelligent integration, this solution uses a programmable logic controller (PLC) as its core to construct a closed-loop control system that integrates perception, decision-making, and execution. The system can monitor cable tension in real time with high precision and automatically and collaboratively control the speed and torque of the drive motor, the cable guide's cable laying movement, the locking mechanism's action, and the starting and stopping of the braking system based on preset logic or operating instructions. This integrated intelligent control liberates operators from the highly stressful and experience-dependent traditional operating mode, significantly reducing labor intensity and the risk of human error, achieving standardization and precision in the work process, and significantly improving the response speed and overall efficiency of operations in complex sea conditions.

[0018] Furthermore, by introducing the force-saving principle of movable pulleys to optimize the traction path and combining it with a stable triangular force-bearing anchor point design, the pulling force required by the main drum drive system is effectively reduced when bearing the same towing load. This optimizes the overall power configuration and structural stress distribution, improving the equipment's working efficiency and economy. In summary, this invention, through the deep integration of mechanical mechanism innovation and intelligent control technology, successfully creates a safer, smarter, more efficient, and more reliable modern cable-dragging operation system with outstanding comprehensive performance advantages. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0020] The accompanying drawings described below are only related to some embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0021] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first axial view structure of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the second axial view structure of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the third axial view structure of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 The present invention is shown Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the A-section structure; Figure 5 The present invention is shown Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the B-type amplification section; Figure 6 This diagram shows a partial axial view of the cable guide frame, cable guide, and cable locking frame of the present invention. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the cable guide frame and cable guide device of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 This diagram shows an axial view of the cable locking frame and suspension guide frame in a partially separated state according to the present invention. Figure 9 This diagram shows a split-off axial view of the cable locking frame of the present invention. Figure 10 This diagram shows a schematic axial view of the suspension guide frame in a split state according to the present invention. Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the axle view of the force-saving wheel assembly of the present invention is shown.

[0022] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Machine base; 101. Hook and ring; 2. Drive motor; 3. Gear reducer; 4. Drum; 401. Brake drum; 5. Brake bracket; 501. Hydraulic cylinder; 502. Brake lever; 503. Brake disc; 504. Connecting rod; 505. Pull arm; 6. Cable guide frame; 601. Cable guide sleeve rod; 602. Reciprocating lead screw; 603. Cable guide motor; 604. Limiting plate; 605. Limiting arm; 7. Cable guide; 701. Guide roller; 702. Slot; 8. Suspension guide frame; 801. Guide seat; 802. Rotary shaft; 803. Tensioning wheel; 8031. Tensioning sleeve block; 8032. Tensioning buffer rod; 8033. Tensioning spring; 804. Hanging shaft; 805. Guide plate; 806. Movable bar hole; 9. Cable locking frame; 901. Cable locking cylinder; 902. Cable locking pressure block; 903. Locking block; 9031. Magnetic groove; 904. Locking plate; 905. Connecting guide frame; 9051. Connecting arm; 9052. Guide rod; 9053. Buffer spring; 906. Pressure connecting frame; 9061. Clamping guide block; 9062. Clamping rod; 9063. Clamping spring; 10. Labor-saving wheel assembly; 1001. Tow hook; 1002. Pulley; 1003. Hook; 11. PLC control box. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the described embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 1 to 11 : Example: This invention proposes a cable towing machine for tugboats, comprising: a base 1, a drive motor 2, a reducer 3, a drum 4, a brake frame 5, a cable guide frame 6, a suspension guide frame 8, a cable locking frame 9, a labor-saving wheel set 10, and a PLC control box 11; the drive motor 2 is mounted on the base 1 and provides power for cable winding and unwinding; the drum 4 is mounted on one side of the drive motor 2, and the drum 4 is rotatably connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 2 via the reducer 3, for winding and storing cable; the brake frame 5 is mounted on the other end of the drum 4 and provides braking for the drum 4; a phase... Parallel cable guides 6 are used to guide the cables to be neatly arranged on the drum 4; a suspension guide 8 is set on the cable path outside the cable guide 6, and a cable locking frame 9 is set on the suspension guide 8 to guide the cable outside the cable guide 6 in advance and lock it during towing; a labor-saving wheel set 10 is used to connect the cable outside the suspension guide 8, one end of the labor-saving wheel set 10 guides the cable to the hook 1003, and hooks it back onto the base 1 through the hook 1003, and the other end of the labor-saving wheel set 10 is hooked to the end of the ship's cable to be towed through the towing hook 1001; a PLC control box 11 is installed on one side of the base 1.

[0025] Among them, a hook 101 is provided on one end of the base 1 near the labor-saving wheel assembly 10, and the hook 1003 is hooked and pulled on the base 1 through the hook 101.

[0026] Among them, a brake drum 401 is fixedly provided at one end of the rotating shaft of the drum 4 corresponding to the brake frame 5.

[0027] The brake frame 5 is rotatably mounted with two brake levers 502, which are respectively placed on both sides of the brake drum 401. Brake discs 503 are fixed on the brake levers 502 at positions corresponding to the brake drum 401. A hydraulic cylinder 501 is vertically mounted on one side of the brake frame 5. The upper end of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 501 is rotatably connected to a pull arm 505 via a pin. The other end of the pull arm 505 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the far brake lever 502 via a connecting rod 504. The lower end of the pull arm 505 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the near brake lever 502 via a pin. When the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 501 retracts, the end of the pull arm 505 connected to the hydraulic cylinder 501 moves down. The pull arm 505 and the upper end of the near brake lever 502 act as a fulcrum for lever motion. The two brake discs 503 move closer to the brake drum 401 and hug the brake drum 401 tightly.

[0028] In this cable guide frame 6, a cable guide sleeve 601 is rotatably installed, and a reciprocating screw 602 is rotatably installed parallel to the cable guide sleeve 601. A cable guide motor 603 is installed at one end of the cable guide sleeve 601. The rotating shaft of the cable guide motor 603 is fixedly connected to the reciprocating screw 602 through a coupling. The reciprocating screw 602 is provided with a bidirectional reciprocating screw path. The reciprocating screw 602 is rotatably connected to the cable guide 7. At both ends of the cable guide frame 6, near the upper side of the drum 4, a fan-shaped limiting plate 604 is fixedly installed. An arc groove is opened on the outer side of the limiting plate 604 near the arc edge. The rotating shafts at both ends of the cable guide sleeve 601 pass through the cable guide frame 6 and a limiting arm 605 is vertically fixed. The end of the limiting arm 605 is slidably placed in the arc groove of the limiting plate 604 through a pin. The cable guide sleeve 601 and the reciprocating screw 602 rotate 0-120 degrees on the cable guide frame 6.

[0029] Among them, the cable guide 7 is provided with a guide roller 701 for guiding the cable at the position where the cable passes, and a slot 702 is provided at the position corresponding to the cable guide sleeve 601.

[0030] The upper end of the suspension guide frame 8 is rotatably mounted with a guide seat 801 via a rotating shaft 802. Tensioning wheels 803 are respectively provided at both ends of the guide seat 801. The cable passes between the upper ends of the two tensioning wheels 803. A movable slot 806 is vertically opened on the guide seat 801 at the location of the tensioning wheel 803. The rotating shaft of the tensioning wheel 803 passes through the movable slot 806 and rotatably engages with a tensioning sleeve block 8031. A tensioning buffer rod 8032 is vertically provided at the lower end of the tensioning sleeve block 8031. The tensioning buffer rod 8032 slides vertically through the lower fixed plate. The fixed plate is fixedly connected to the guide seat 801. The tensioning buffer rod 8032 is fitted with a tensioning spring 8033. The upper middle part of the side wall of the left and right ends of the guide seat 801 is vertically provided with a hanging shaft 804. The tensioning wheel 803 near the tensioning wheel 803 of the force-saving wheel set 10 is connected to a tension sensor to detect the force of the cable acting on the tensioning wheel 803 and convert it into a tension signal. The tensioning wheel 803 is in contact with the cable and rotates with the movement of the cable. The suspension guide frame 8 between the two tensioning wheels 803 is vertically provided with four guide plates 805 respectively, and the cable passes through the guide plates 805.

[0031] In this cable locking frame 9, a cable locking cylinder 901 is fixedly installed at one end near the cable guide frame 6. The end of the piston rod of the cable locking cylinder 901 is fixedly connected to a cable locking block 902. The cable locking block 902 slides tangentially with the top of the inner frame of the cable locking frame 9. The lower end of the cable locking block 902 is an inclined structure away from the cable locking cylinder 901. A locking block 903 is provided below the cable locking block 902. The locking block 903 slides vertically between four guide plates 805. The upper end of the locking block 903 is an inclined structure corresponding to the lower end of the cable locking block 902. Locking plates 904 are vertically spaced and evenly inserted into the locking block 903. The locking plates 904 are distributed in a stepped manner along the upper inclined surface. The locking plates 904 have a "T"-shaped structure. The upper ends of the locking plates 904 are made of magnets. Magnetic grooves 9031 are respectively provided at the two ends of the inclined surface of the top of the locking block 903. The magnetic grooves 9031 have the same magnetism as the fins of the locking plates 904. Under the push of the locking cable cylinder 901, the locking cable pressing block 902 first squeezes the locking plates 904 downward, and then squeezes the locking block 903 downward to lock the cable below. On the left and right sides of block 903, there are connecting guide frames 905. Two connecting arms 9051 are rotatably connected to the connecting guide frames 905 via pins. The end of the upper connecting arm 9051 is rotatably connected to one side wall of the locking block 903, and the end of the lower connecting arm 9051 is rotatably connected to the hanging shaft 804 below. A guide rod 9052 is provided on the connecting guide frame 905 at the end that is vertically close to the force-saving wheel assembly 10. The guide rod 9052 slides vertically through the support frame of the locking cable frame 9, and a buffer spring 9053 is fitted on the guide rod 9052. The buffer spring 9053 provides a thrust to the locking block 903 side of the connecting guide 905. A rectangular clamping frame 906 is fixedly connected between the ends of the two guide rods 9052. The cable passes through the clamping frame 906. Two symmetrical clamping guide blocks 9061 are slidably installed in the clamping frame 906. A clamping rod 9062 is vertically provided at the outer end of the clamping guide block 9061. The clamping rod 9062 slides vertically through the side wall of the clamping frame 906. A clamping spring 9063 is fitted on the clamping rod 9062. The clamping guide block 9061 is used to clamp the cable.

[0032] Among them, the labor-saving wheel assembly 10 is equipped with a pulley 1002, and the cable passes through the pulley 1002 and is fixedly connected to the tow hook 1001.

[0033] The following further explains the function and effect of each structure mentioned above to help those skilled in the art better understand the technical solution: The entire system is based on a robust base 1, which integrates core functional modules such as drive, braking, guidance, locking, and control. The drive motor 2 serves as the power source, transmitting power to the drum 4 via a reducer 3 to complete the core operation of cable winding and unwinding. To ensure operational safety, a brake drum 401 is specifically installed at the shaft end of the drum 4, along with a highly efficient braking mechanism. This braking mechanism is supported by a brake frame 5, and its core lies in using a hydraulic cylinder 501 to drive a clever lever system. When the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 501 retracts, it pulls the connecting arm 505. The connecting arm 505 rotates around the connection point with the upper end of the proximal brake lever 502. On the one hand, it directly pulls the proximal brake lever 502, and on the other hand, it pulls the distal brake lever 502 through the connecting rod 504. This causes the brake discs 503 mounted on the two brake levers 502 to move towards the central brake drum 401 at the same time, achieving smooth and powerful dual-point braking. The braking effect is significantly better than that of traditional single-point braking.

[0034] To achieve neat arrangement of the cable on the drum 4 and avoid overlapping wear, this embodiment designs a cable guiding system with adaptive function. The cable guide frame 6 is equipped with a cable guide sleeve 601 and a reciprocating screw 602 driven by a cable guide motor 603. The cable guide 7 engages with the cable guide sleeve 601 through a slot 702 and is driven by the reciprocating screw 602 to perform precise reciprocating motion along the axis of the drum 4, thereby neatly winding the cable layer by layer onto the drum 4. Specifically, considering the possible changes in the cable entry and exit angles, the entire cable guide sleeve 601 assembly can slide within the arc grooves of the fan-shaped limiting disc 604 via limiting arms 605 at both ends, achieving adaptive deflection from zero to 120 degrees. This ensures that the guide roller 701 always guides the cable at the optimal angle, which is crucial for achieving high-quality cable laying.

[0035] On the outside of the cable guide frame 6, the suspension guide frame 8 plays a crucial role in tension sensing and initial buffering. The cable passes between two tensioning pulleys 803, and the shaft of each tensioning pulley 803 is connected to a tension sensor, which converts the cable tension into an electrical signal in real time. Below each tensioning pulley 803, a buffer unit is formed by a tensioning sleeve 8031, a tensioning buffer rod 8032, and a tensioning spring 8033, allowing the tensioning pulley 803 to elastically displace in the vertical direction, thereby instantly absorbing the instantaneous tension impact caused by waves or ship swaying and protecting subsequent mechanisms. Four vertical guide plates 805 form a cable channel, providing a foundation for subsequent locking operations.

[0036] The cable locking frame 9 is the key safety mechanism in the entire system for achieving rapid active locking. Its core locking action is accomplished by the cable locking cylinder 901 pushing the cable locking block 902. The lower end of the cable locking block 902 is designed as a slope, with a matching sloped locking block 903 below it. Several T-shaped magnetic locking plates 904 are inserted into the locking block 903. The fins at the upper end of the locking plates 904 and the magnetic grooves 9031 at the top of the locking block 903 generate a repulsive force due to their similar magnetism, keeping the locking plates 904 in an elevated state under normal conditions. During locking, the cable locking block 902 first presses down on the locking plates 904 to overcome the magnetic force. Subsequently, its slope interacts with the slope of the locking block 903, forcing the locking block 903 to move downwards as a whole, firmly pressing the cable passing between the guide plates 805. This two-stage action of "overcoming the magnetic force first and then mechanically pressing" makes the locking process smooth, reliable, and with minimal impact. Furthermore, the locking block 903 is connected to the connecting guide frames 905 on both sides via connecting arms 9051. The connecting guide frames 905 are in turn connected to a rectangular clamping frame 906 via guide rods 9052 and buffer springs 9053. The two clamping guide blocks 9061 within the clamping frame 906 always lightly clamp the cable under the action of clamping springs 9063. This four-bar linkage and spring-based buffering mechanism can perform secondary buffering and balancing of tension fluctuations upstream and downstream of the cable locking point, further improving the system's stability under dynamic sea conditions.

[0037] The labor-saving wheel assembly 10 changes the traction direction of the cable through pulley 1002 and utilizes the principle of movable pulleys to achieve a labor-saving effect during actual towing. The tow hook 1001 is used to connect to the towed vessel, while the hook 1003 is hooked back onto the hook ring 101 of the base 1, forming a stable force triangle. All sensor signals, logic judgments, and actuator controls are centrally processed by the PLC control box 11. It receives tension sensor signals and, according to preset programs or operator instructions, coordinates and controls the coordinated actions of the drive motor 2, cable guide motor 603, cable locking cylinder 901, and hydraulic cylinder 501.

[0038] A method for operating a tugboat towing cable winch includes the following steps: S1. Cable connection and deployment: The cable is sequentially passed through the cable guide 7, the guide plate 805 on the suspension guide frame 8, the upper side of the tension wheel 803, and the pressure frame 906 in the cable locking frame 9, and then around the pulley 1002 of the labor-saving wheel set 10; the towing hook 1001 at one end of the labor-saving wheel set 10 is connected to the cable end of the vessel to be towed, and the hook 1003 at the other end is hooked back onto the hook ring 101 of the machine base 1; S2. Cable winding / unwinding and tension sensing: The drive motor 2 is started, and the drum 4 is driven to rotate through the reducer 3 to perform cable winding or unwinding operations; during this process, the cable drives the suspension... The tension wheel 803 on the guide frame 8 rotates, and the tension sensor monitors the cable tension in real time and feeds back the signal to the PLC control box 11; S3. Synchronous cable guiding: During the cable winding / unwinding process, the cable guiding motor 603 is started, driving the reciprocating screw 602 to rotate, which drives the cable guide 7 connected to it to reciprocate along the axial direction of the cable guide sleeve 601, guiding the cable to be neatly arranged on the drum 4; at the same time, according to the relative angle between the cable and the drum, the limiting arm 605 slides in the arc groove of the limiting plate 604, so that the cable guide sleeve 601 and the reciprocating screw 602 can adaptively deflect within the range of 0-120 degrees; S4. Cable locking operation: when emergency fixing is required. When the cable is under a specific tension, the PLC control box 11 controls the cable locking cylinder 901 to extend, pushing the cable locking block 902 downward. The cable locking block 902 first squeezes the locking plate 904 to overcome the magnetic repulsion and move downward. Then, its inclined surface presses the inclined surface of the locking block 903 downward, so that the locking block 903 cooperates with the guide plate 805 to press and lock the cable. S5. Brake control: When it is necessary to brake the drum 4, the PLC control box 11 controls the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 501 on the brake frame 5 to retract. The piston rod drives the lower end of the pull arm 505 to move downward, so that the pull arm 505 performs lever movement with the connection point with the near-end brake lever 502 as the fulcrum. By pulling the far-end brake lever 502 through the connecting rod 504, the brake discs 503 on the two brake levers 502 together grip the brake drum 401 to achieve braking; S6. Dynamic buffering and protection: During operation, when the cable tension fluctuates, the tension wheel 803 performs up-and-down buffering movement through the tension buffer rod 8032 and tension spring 8033 below it; at the same time, the clamping guide block 9061 in the pressure frame 906 clamps the cable under the action of the clamping spring 9063, and buffers the cable tension changes in the area of ​​the cable locking frame 9 through the linkage buffering mechanism composed of the connecting guide frame 905, the connecting arm 9051 and the buffer spring 9053.

[0039] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: During operation, the cable is drawn from the drum 4, first passing through the guide roller 701 on the cable guide 7, then entering the area of ​​the suspension guide 8, passing through the channel formed by the four vertical guide plates 805, and passing over the two tensioning rollers 803. Afterwards, the cable passes through the pressure frame 906 in the cable locking frame 9, and finally winds around the pulley 1002 of the labor-saving wheel set 10. Its end is connected to the towed vessel via the tow hook 1001, while the hook 1003 at the other end of the labor-saving wheel set 10 hooks back onto the hook ring 101 of the base 1, forming a stable force transmission triangle. During the core cable winding and unwinding operation, the drive motor 2 transmits power to the drum 4 through the reducer 3, driving it to rotate to wind or unwind the cable. Meanwhile, to ensure the cable is neatly and tightly arranged on the drum 4, the cable guide motor 603 starts, driving the reciprocating screw 602 to rotate. This, in turn, drives the cable guide 7, which engages with the cable guide sleeve 601 via the slot 702, to perform precise reciprocating motion along the axis of the drum 4, achieving automatic cable arrangement. Specifically, the cable guide sleeve 601 assembly can slide within the arc groove of the sector-shaped limiting disc 604 via the limiting arms 605 at both ends, allowing the cable guide 7 to adaptively deflect within a range of zero to one hundred and twenty degrees, ensuring that the guide roller 701 always guides the cable at the optimal angle.

[0040] Throughout the entire operation, the system's sensing and safety control are consistently implemented. Changes in cable tension are sensed in real time through its contact with the tensioning pulley 803. A tension sensor connected to the shaft of the tensioning pulley 803 converts physical force into electrical signals, which are transmitted to the PLC control box 11. Each tensioning pulley 803 has a buffer unit below it, consisting of a tensioning sleeve 8031, a tensioning buffer rod 8032, and a tensioning spring 8033. This unit can instantly absorb sudden tension impacts, achieving the first level of buffering. When emergency braking of the drum 4 is required, the PLC control box 11 commands the hydraulic cylinder 501 on the brake frame 5 to actuate. The piston rod retracts, driving the pull arm 505. This pull arm 505 rotates around its connection point with the upper end of the near-end brake lever 502, simultaneously driving the near-end brake lever 502 and the far-end brake lever 502 connected via the connecting rod 504 to move in opposite directions. This causes the two brake discs 503 to smoothly and forcefully grip the brake drum 401, achieving efficient dual-point braking.

[0041] When the working condition requires active cable locking, the cable locking frame 9 mechanism is activated. The PLC control box 11 controls the cable locking cylinder 901 to extend, pushing the cable locking block 902 downward. The cable locking block 902 first overcomes the magnetic force and presses down the T-shaped locking plate 904 in the locking block 903, which is kept in an elevated state by magnetic repulsion. Then, its inclined surface engages with the inclined surface of the locking block 903, forcing the locking block 903 to move downward as a whole, firmly pressing the cable passing between the guide plates 805, completing the two-stage cable locking of "magnetic buffering first, then mechanical locking". In conjunction with this, the locking block 903 drives the connecting guides 905 on both sides to move through the connecting arm 9051. The connecting guides 905 are connected to the pressure frame 906 through the guide rod 9052 and the buffer spring 9053. Inside the pressure frame 906, two clamping guide blocks 9061, acted upon by clamping springs 9063, always lightly clamp the cable. This linkage system consisting of four links and springs can effectively buffer and balance tension changes near the cable locking point.

[0042] The following points should be noted in this article: 1. The accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention only involve the structures involved in the embodiments of the present invention; other structures can refer to general designs.

[0043] 2. Where there is no conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0044] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A towing winch for a tugboat, comprising: The machine base (1), drive motor (2), reducer (3), drum (4), brake frame (5), cable guide frame (6), suspension guide frame (8), cable locking frame (9), labor-saving wheel set (10), and PLC control box (11) are characterized in that the drive motor (2) is mounted on the machine base (1); the drum (4) is mounted on one side of the drive motor (2), and the drum (4) is rotatably connected to the output shaft of the drive motor (2) through the reducer (3); the brake frame (5) is mounted on the other end of the drum (4); the drum (4) Parallel cable guides (6) are provided on the front base (1); the suspension guide (8) is set on the cable path outside the cable guide (6), the cable lock (9) is set above the suspension guide (8), one end of the labor-saving wheel set (10) guides the cable to the hook (1003), and hooks back onto the base (1) through the hook (1003), and the other end of the labor-saving wheel set (10) is hooked to the end of the ship cable to be towed through the tow hook (1001); the PLC control box (11) is installed on one side of the base (1).

2. The towing cable winch for a tugboat according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with a hook (101) at one end near the power-saving wheel assembly (10), and the hook (1003) is hooked onto the base (1) through the hook (101).

3. The towing cable winch for a tugboat according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roller (4) has a brake drum (401) fixedly installed at one end of the shaft corresponding to the brake frame (5).

4. A tugboat towing winch according to claim 3, characterized in that, Two brake rods (502) are rotatably mounted on the brake frame (5). The brake rods (502) are respectively placed on both sides of the brake drum (401). A brake disc (503) is fixedly provided on the brake rod (502) at the position corresponding to the brake drum (401). A hydraulic cylinder (501) is vertically provided on one side of the brake frame (5). The upper end of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder (501) is rotatably connected to a pull arm (505) through a pin. The other end of the pull arm (505) is rotatably connected to the upper end of the far brake rod (502) through a connecting rod (504). The lower end of the pull arm (505) is rotatably connected to the upper end of the near brake rod (502) through a pin.

5. A towing cable winch for a tugboat according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cable guide frame (6) is rotatably mounted with a cable guide sleeve (601), and a reciprocating screw (602) is rotatably mounted on the cable guide sleeve (601). A cable guide motor (603) is mounted on one end of the cable guide sleeve (601). The shaft of the cable guide motor (603) is fixedly connected to the reciprocating screw (602) through a coupling. The reciprocating screw (602) is provided with a bidirectional reciprocating guide rail. The reciprocating screw (602) is rotatably connected to the cable guide (7). The two ends of the cable guide frame (6) are close to A fan-shaped limiting plate (604) is fixedly provided on the upper side of the drum (4). An arc groove is provided on the outer side of the limiting plate (604) near the arc edge. The two ends of the cable guide sleeve (601) are driven through the cable guide frame (6) and a limiting arm (605) is vertically fixed thereon. The end of the limiting arm (605) is slidably placed in the arc groove of the limiting plate (604) through a pin. The cable guide sleeve (601) and the reciprocating screw (602) rotate 0-120 degrees on the cable guide frame (6).

6. A tugboat towing winch according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cable guide (7) is provided with a guide roller (701) around the position where the cable passes, and a slot (702) is provided at the position corresponding to the cable guide sleeve (601).

7. A towing winch for a tugboat according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the suspension guide (8) is rotatably mounted with a guide seat (801) via a rotating shaft (802). Tensioning wheels (803) are respectively provided at both ends of the guide seat (801). The cable passes between the upper ends of the two tensioning wheels (803). A movable slot (806) is vertically opened on the guide seat (801) at the location of the tensioning wheel (803). The rotating shaft of the tensioning wheel (803) passes through the movable slot (806) and is rotatably fitted with a tensioning sleeve block (8031). A tensioning buffer rod (8032) is vertically provided at the lower end of the tensioning sleeve block (8031). The tension buffer rod (8032) slides vertically through the fixed plate below, and the fixed plate is fixedly connected to the guide seat (801). The tension buffer rod (8032) is fitted with a tension spring (8033). The guide seat (801) has a hanging shaft (804) vertically installed at the upper part of the middle of the left and right side walls. The tension sensor is connected to the shaft of the tension wheel (803) near the force-saving wheel set (10). The suspension guide frame (8) between the two tension wheels (803) is provided with four guide plates (805) vertically respectively, and the cable passes through the guide plates (805).

8. A towing winch for a tugboat according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cable locking frame (9) is fixedly installed with a cable locking cylinder (901) at one end near the cable guide frame (6). The end of the piston rod of the cable locking cylinder (901) is fixedly connected to a cable locking block (902). The cable locking block (902) slides tangentially to the top of the inner frame of the cable locking frame (9). The lower end of the cable locking block (902) is an inclined structure away from the cable locking cylinder (901). A locking block (903) is provided below the cable locking block (902). The locking block (903) slides vertically between four guide plates (805). The upper end of the locking block (903) is connected to the cable locking block (902). 902) The lower end of the corresponding inclined structure, the locking block (903) has locking plates (904) vertically spaced evenly inserted, the locking plates (904) are distributed in a stepped shape along the upper inclined surface, the locking plates (904) are "T" shaped, the upper ends of the locking plates (904) are made of magnets, the top of the locking block (903) is provided with magnetic grooves (9031) along the edges of the inclined surface, the magnetic grooves (9031) and the fins of the locking plates (904) have the same magnetism; the left and right sides of the locking block (903) are respectively provided with connecting guides (905), the connecting guides (905) are respectively provided with connecting guides (905) Two connecting arms (9051) are rotatably connected to the upper part of the locking block (903) via a pin. The end of the upper connecting arm (9051) is rotatably connected to one side wall of the locking block (903), and the end of the lower connecting arm (9051) is rotatably connected to the lower hanging shaft (804). A guide rod (9052) is provided on the connecting guide frame (905) at the end that is vertically close to the force-saving wheel assembly (10). The guide rod (9052) slides vertically through the support frame of the locking cable frame (9). A buffer spring (9053) is fitted on the guide rod (9052). The buffer spring (9053) is a support for the connecting guide frame (905). 05) Provides a thrust to one side of the locking block (903). A rectangular clamping frame (906) is fixedly connected between the ends of the two guide rods (9052). The cable passes through the clamping frame (906). Two symmetrical clamping guide blocks (9061) are slidably installed in the clamping frame (906). The outer end of the clamping guide block (9061) is provided with a clamping rod (9062). The clamping rod (9062) slides vertically through the side wall of the clamping frame (906). A clamping spring (9063) is fitted on the clamping rod (9062). The clamping guide block (9061) is used to clamp the cable.

9. A tugboat towing winch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The labor-saving wheel assembly (10) is equipped with a pulley (1002), and the cable passes through the pulley (1002) and is fixedly connected to the tow hook (1001).

10. A method for operating a tugboat towing winch, characterized in that, The method of using a tugboat towing machine as described in any one of claims 1-9 includes the following steps: S1. Cable connection and deployment: The cable is passed sequentially between the cable guide (7), the guide plate (805) on the suspension guide (8), the upper side of the tension wheel (803), and the pressure frame (906) in the cable locking frame (9), and then around the pulley (1002) of the labor-saving wheel set (10); the tow hook (1001) at one end of the labor-saving wheel set (10) is connected to the cable end of the ship to be towed, and the hook (1003) at the other end is hooked back onto the hook ring (101) of the base (1); S2. Cable winding / unwinding and tension sensing: Start the drive motor (2) and drive the drum (4) to rotate through the reducer (3) to perform cable winding or unwinding operations; during this process, the cable drives the tension wheel (803) on the suspension guide (8) to rotate, and the tension sensor monitors the cable tension in real time and feeds back the signal to the PLC control box (11). S3. Synchronous cable guide: During the cable winding / unwinding process, the cable guide motor (603) is started, driving the reciprocating screw (602) to rotate, which in turn drives the cable guide (7) connected to it to reciprocate along the axial direction of the cable guide sleeve (601), guiding the cable to be neatly arranged on the drum (4); at the same time, according to the relative angle between the cable and the drum, the limiting arm (605) slides in the arc groove of the limiting plate (604), so that the cable guide sleeve (601) and the reciprocating screw (602) can adaptively deflect within the range of 0-120 degrees; S4. Cable locking operation: When it is necessary to urgently fix the cable or maintain a specific tension, the PLC control box (11) controls the cable locking cylinder (901) to extend and push the cable locking block (902) down; the cable locking block (902) first squeezes the locking plate (904) to make it move down against the magnetic repulsion force, and then its inclined surface presses the inclined surface of the locking block (903) to move down, so that the locking block (903) cooperates with the guide plate (805) to press and lock the cable; S5. Braking control: When it is necessary to brake the drum (4), the PLC control box (11) controls the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder (501) on the brake frame (5) to retract; the piston rod drives the lower end of the pull arm (505) to move down, so that the pull arm (505) performs lever movement with the connection point with the near brake rod (502) as the fulcrum, and pulls the far brake rod (502) through the connecting rod (504), so that the brake discs (503) on the two brake rods (502) together hug the brake drum (401) to achieve braking; S6. Dynamic buffering and protection: During operation, when the cable tension fluctuates, the tensioning wheel (803) performs up-and-down buffering movement through the tension buffer rod (8032) and tension spring (8033) below it; at the same time, the clamping guide block (9061) in the pressure frame (906) clamps the cable under the action of the clamping spring (9063), and buffers the cable tension change in the cable locking frame (9) area through the linkage buffering mechanism composed of the connecting guide frame (905), connecting arm (9051) and buffer spring (9053).

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