DEVICE FOR WINDING A SYNTHETIC CABLE UNDER TENSION ONTO A WINCH

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for winding a synthetic cable under tension in a winch, said device comprising a reel (1) comprising a central cylinder (2) and two end discs (3, 4) coaxial with said central cylinder (2), which each extend radially from one end of said central cylinder (2), each of said two discs (3, 4) comprising an at least partially radial notch (30, 40), capable of receiving a cable. Figure for abstract: [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR WINDING A SYNTHETIC CABLE UNDER TENSION ON A WINCH Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for winding a cable under tension, for a winch, the cable being a synthetic cable.

[0002] The term “synthetic cable” will be understood to mean a cable comprising polymer fibers, for example polyethylene fibers.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a hauling or lifting winch, which is equipped with such a device and which is capable of being mounted on the chassis of a vehicle or on other handling equipment.

[0004] The invention finally relates to a method for implementing said device associated with the winch to enable the synthetic cable to be wound under tension onto the winch. State of the art

[0005] In the field of vehicles and in particular off-road and recovery vehicles (light and heavy vehicles), it is often planned to use a winch associated with a metal cable for unblocking, self-hauling or towing vehicles. It must be able to be used reliably and quickly in technically difficult and possibly dangerous environments.

[0006] Such a winch usually comprises a motorized winding drum rotating around an axis which is horizontal and mounted transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0007] The drum is mounted by its two ends on a frame, which is parallel to the axis of the drum. This frame is then fixed to the chassis of the vehicle, generally on a front or rear bumper, or on a cross member positioned at the end of the vehicle.

[0008] This type of assembly is simple and compact, and quite economical. It has direct access, which facilitates assembly, maintenance and use.

[0009] However, the steel cable which is used is difficult for a user to handle, in particular because of its weight and its rigidity.

[0010] Finally, corrosion phenomena are difficult to control for such a device, because the radial friction of the stranded steel cable at the bottom of the pulley groove inevitably causes the metal to be exposed regardless of the protection adopted.

[0011] Those skilled in the art have therefore sought to replace steel cables with synthetic cables, which are as strong, or even stronger. They are also lighter and more flexible, which makes them easier to handle.

[0012] The advantage of such cables is that they are rot-proof, water-resistant, abrasion-resistant, torsion-resistant, resistant to chemical agents and hydrocarbons.

[0013] However, to ensure that the cable does not become damaged or damage the winch when being wound, it must be wound uniformly around the winch drum, so that the tension of the synthetic cable on the drum and on the drum flanges is evenly distributed.

[0014] Indeed, because of its synthetic nature, the cable has little friction on the drum when being wound. Winding the cable when empty then causes a phenomenon of swelling and its uncontrolled winding on the drum. In addition, certain parts of the cable being wound can pass through lower layers of wound cable, damaging them in the process.

[0015] Furthermore, the empty winding of a synthetic cable causes the flanges of the drum receiving the entire length of the cable to overflow, which can cause the cable to jam and deteriorate in an element of the winch, or even the winch itself, during a traction phase under load.

[0016] Winding the cable when empty, after use, is however necessary: ​​in fact, once used, the cable must be completely unwound to inspect it, then re-wound: this re-winding is not easy with a synthetic cable, for the reasons explained above: when the cable is under load, winding is done correctly, but not without load

[0017] The invention therefore aims to solve this problem.

[0018] Finally, holding the cable in the hand can be dangerous for a user handling it, because the slipping of the synthetic cable in his hands can cause heating which can cause serious injury. It is therefore necessary for the user to wear protective gloves.

[0019] The invention aims to ensure rewinding of the cable under tension while no load is applied to its end, and aims to propose a system which is reliable, simple and quick to implement and without danger for a user, so that winding the cable when empty (after use of the winch) does not require any particular difficulty for the user and is without particular danger. Statement of the invention

[0020] To this end, the invention relates to a device for winding a synthetic cable under tension in a winch, said device comprising a spool comprising a central cylinder and two end discs coaxial with said cylinder, which each extend radially from one end of said cylinder, the two said discs comprising two at least partially radial notches, capable of receiving a cable.

[0021] Thanks to this particular design, the device allows a cable to be wound around the central cylinder and the cable to be retained in the end discs.

[0022] The greater the number of turns of the cable around the central cylinder, the greater the tension of the cable generated by the device according to the invention.

[0023] However, a single turn may be sufficient to create adequate tension for correctly winding the cable onto a winch, when the winch is associated with the device according to the invention.

[0024] Advantageously, the tension winding device according to the invention has one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

[0025] - the two notches have notch parts which are aligned according to a axis parallel to the axis of the coil cylinder,

[0026] - each of the notches has a comma shape, comprising a first notch portion which extends from the periphery of an end disc in a radial direction, a second notch portion, contiguous to the first notch portion, which extends in a direction inclined relative to the radial direction of the first notch portion, and finally a third notch portion, forming a housing capable of accommodating a section of cable, which is formed by a through opening wider than the section of the second notch portion,

[0027] - the notches of the two end discs are oriented in directions opposite,

[0028] - the coil can be made by two coil parts, assembled along the axis of said coil.

[0029] The invention further relates to a winch, comprising at least one drum, and a synthetic cable capable of being wound around the drum, a motor for driving said drum in rotation around its axis, said winch being capable of being mounted on the chassis of a vehicle. According to the invention, the winch comprises a device for winding said synthetic cable under tension as defined above.

[0030] Advantageously, the winch may comprise a cable guiding device, said tensioned winding device being implemented in front of said cable guide, at the exit point, between an inactive position in which the tensioned winding device hangs in front of the cable guide and an active position where it rests on the cable guide.

[0031] Furthermore, the winch may comprise a distributor device, capable of diverting the cable between different cable exit points on the drum.

[0032] Preferably, the synthetic cable comprises fibers of high density polyethylene, aromatic polyamide, polyester or any other polymer and has a diameter of between 2 and 100 mm and has a breaking strength of between between 0.1 and 1,000 tonnes.

[0033] The invention finally relates to a method for implementing a winch equipped with a tensioned winding device according to the invention, the method comprising the following steps, to enable the winding of said cable around the drum of the winch: - positioning a portion of said cable around said tension winding device, by inserting the portion of cable exiting said exit point into a first notch of a first disc of said tension winding device, making at least one turn of said central cylinder of said device with said portion of cable, and inserting said portion of cable into a second notch of the second disc of said tension winding device, - positioning the live winding device in the inactive position, and - actuation of the drive motor in rotation of said drum of said winch.

[0034] Preferably, during said step of positioning a portion of said cable around said device, said cable is wrapped three times around the central cylinder of said tensioned winding device.

[0035] Furthermore, after the step of actuating the motor, said tensioned winding device passes from said inactive position to said active position. Brief description of the figures

[0036] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0037] [Fig.l]: [Fig.l] is a representation of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrated in perspective,

[0038] [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] illustrates the device shown in [Fig.l], associated with a winch, po located to carry out a first step in accordance with the method according to the invention, the assembly being illustrated in perspective,

[0039] [Fig.3]: [Fig.3] illustrates the device shown in figures 1 and 2 positioned for carry out a second step in accordance with the method according to the invention, the assembly being illustrated in perspective,

[0040] [Fig.4]: [Fig.4] illustrates the device shown in the previous figures, positioned to carry out a third step in accordance with the method according to the invention, the assembly being illustrated in perspective,

[0041] [Fig.5]: [Fig.5] illustrates the device shown in the previous figures, positioned to carry out a third step in accordance with the method according to the invention, the assembly being illustrated in perspective,

[0042] [Fig.6]: [Fig.6] illustrates the device shown in the previous figures, during the last step in accordance with the method according to the invention, the whole being illustrated in perspective, and

[0043] [Fig.7]: [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a winch equipped with a device for cable guide.

[0044] It is understood that the embodiment which will be described below is not limiting. In particular, it will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one preferably functional characteristic without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if it is this part which is only sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0045] In the figures and in the remainder of the description, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference. Detailed description

[0046] [Fig. 1] illustrates a device according to the invention, alone. Figures 2 to 6 also illustrate the device of [Fig. 1], associated with a winch.

[0047] The device is in the form of a coil 1, comprising a central cylinder 2 surrounded by two end discs 3 and 4.

[0048] The two end discs 3 and 4 are coaxial with the cylinder 2 and they each extend radially from one end of the cylinder 2.

[0049] According to the invention, the two said discs 3 and 4 each comprise a notch 30 and 40, respectively, partially radial and capable of receiving a cable as will be described later.

[0050] The device is made of steel, so that it has technical characteristics of resistance to the friction forces of the synthetic cable, wound in tension around the central cylinder and passing through the two end discs 3 and 4, as will also be seen later.

[0051] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the production of the device in steel: it could be produced in another material without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0052] To produce the coil of the device according to the invention at a lower cost, the coil 1 is formed by two half-coils 10 and 11, identical and assembled along the axis of the coil, for example by means of a screw-nut system, or any other fixing system 12 allowing such an assembly.

[0053] Each half-coil 10 and 11 thus comprises a half-cylinder, having a first free end and a second end secured to the end disc 3 or 4, the two half-coils 10 and 11 being assembled by the free ends of the half-cylinders, positioned against each other (see [Fig.2]).

[0054] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the notches 30 and 40 are formed through the thickness of the end discs 3 and 4, from their peripheral edge to a housing 31 and 41, respectively, passing through each of the discs 3 and 4.

[0055] More precisely, each of the notches 30 and 40 each has a comma shape, comprising: - a first notch part 32 (respectively 42) which extends from the periphery 33 (respectively 43) in a radial direction, and - a second notch portion 34 (respectively 44), contiguous to the first notch portion 32 (respectively 42), which extends in a direction inclined relative to the radial direction of the first notch portion.

[0056] The housings 31 and 41 terminate the notches 30 and 40 and form a third notch part, in which a part of synthetic cable can be received.

[0057] The housings 31 and 41 are each formed by a through opening which has a diameter larger than the section of the second notch part 34 (respectively 44).

[0058] It is also noted that the first notch parts 32 and 42 each have a width increasing towards the periphery 33 (respectively 43) of the discs 3 and 4, which gives the first notch parts a funnel shape, facilitating the introduction of a cable into the notch.

[0059] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular form of notches: even if this form favors the introduction and retention of a cable installed around the coil 1, other forms could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0060] Advantageously, it is also provided that the notches are oriented in such a way that they align along an axis parallel to the X axis of the cylinder 2 of the reel 1. This makes it easy to visualize the correct positioning of the cable.

[0061] In the context of the example presented in the figures, the notches 30 and 40 are aligned so that the housings 31 and 41 have a common axis XI, parallel to the axis X of the central cylinder 2 of the coil 1.

[0062] It should also be understood that the invention extends to other orientations of the notches on the end discs: for example, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a notch could be provided offset by a predetermined angle relative to the other notch (rotation by a predetermined angle around the axis X of the coil 1).

[0063] [Fig.l] also illustrates that the notches 30 and 40 are oriented in opposite directions: it is noted that the notch 30 opens to the left, while the notch 40 opens to the right. This has the advantage of allowing the device to be held by the cable when the winch drum is not rotating (see in particular the position of device 1 in [Fig.4]). In fact, the forces of the cable engaged in the notches exert opposing pressures on the internal walls of the notches, which contributes to the device being held by the cable.

[0064] Figures 2 to 6 show a winch 5 according to the invention.

[0065] The winch 5 comprises a drum 50, a synthetic cable 6, capable of being wound around the drum 50, a motor 51 for driving the drum 50 in rotation around its axis X2.

[0066] The synthetic cable 6 comprises polyethylene polymer fibers. It has a diameter of 2 to 100 mm and can withstand a tension of 0.1 to 1,000 tons.

[0067] It is also observed that the winch is equipped with a cable guiding device 52, comprising a plate 53, positioned under the drum 50, the plate comprising a through opening 54 allowing the positioning of the cable 6 under the plate to be viewed.

[0068] The cable guiding device 52 also comprises a housing 55 passing through an exit point and through which the cable 6 passes, to orient it correctly with regard to the drum 50.

[0069] As can be seen in the figures, the device according to the invention, for winding under tension, is implemented in front of the cable guiding device 52, at the exit point, that is to say in front of the housing 55 of the exit point.

[0070] In the active position (for example, the position shown in figures 5 and 6) is supported on the guide device 52.

[0071] In the inactive position (see [Fig.4]), the tensioned winding device hangs in front of the guide device 52, the cable 6 holding the device.

[0072] The winch could also include a distributor device, designed to divert the cable 6 between different exit points on the drum 50.

[0073] Although this embodiment has not been illustrated, it should be understood that the invention also covers such an embodiment.

[0074] [Fig.7] further illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention, where the winch is equipped with a hawse cable guide 60.

[0075] The hawse cable guide 60 replaces, in this embodiment, the cable guiding device 52.

[0076] The hawse cable guide 60 is in the form of a frame, fixed on one side of the winch 5 in a direction parallel to the axis of the drum 50, the frame comprising a central through slot 61 through which the cable passes before being wound around the drum.

[0077] As its name indicates, this hawse cable guide ensures the guidance of the cable which is moves along the entire length of the slot 61 during its winding.

[0078] The device 1 according to the invention is positioned in front of the hawse cable guide, and can be equipped with bearings on the outer face of the end disc 4, to facilitate the movement of the device along the slot 61 when winding the cable.

[0079] Generally, the winch 5 is designed to be mounted on the chassis of a vehicle (not shown) or any other handling equipment.

[0080] Reference will now be made to the method of implementing the device when it is associated with a winch, with reference to Figures 2 to 6.

[0081] This process occurs after the cable has been used. For example, the cable and winch have been used to free a vehicle from mud.

[0082] Once the vehicle is unstuck, the cable is unhooked from the vehicle.

[0083] First, the cable is fully unwound by the user so that he can inspect it.

[0084] Then, the method according to the invention is implemented in the following manner:

[0085] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the first step of the procedure is the positioning of the device according to the invention.

[0086] To do this, a user U positions a part of said cable 6 of the cylinder 2 of the coil 1 of the device.

[0087] More precisely, it manually inserts the portion of cable 6 coming out of the housing 55 of the exit point into the first notch 40 of the end disc 4 of the device (see [Fig.2]).

[0088] Then, still manually, the user U makes three turns around the central cylinder 2 with the cable 6 (making at least one turn), and he inserts the cable 6 into the second notch 30 of the second disc 3 of said tensioned winding device (see [Fig.3]).

[0089] The user then releases the tensioned winding device, which leads to positioning the tensioned winding device, according to the invention, in the inactive position (see the positioning of the device relative to the cable guiding device 52 shown in [Fig.4]).

[0090] To wind the cable automatically, it is then necessary to activate the motor 51, which then drives the drum 50 of the winch 5 into rotation.

[0091] As soon as the motor is actuated, the cable 6 is tensioned, driven in rotation around the drum, and this tension leads to the passage of the winding device under tension from said inactive position ([Fig.4]) to said active position ([Fig.5]) in which the disc 4 of the device comes to bear against the cable guiding device.

[0092] In the active position, the device itself creates a tension on the cable which will cause the cable 6 to wind uniformly around the drum 50. driven in rotation, creating a first row of cable wrapped around the drum, then a second row, then a third etc.

[0093] It may be provided that the rotation of the drum 50 around its axis X2 stops so that the cable 6 remains engaged around the device according to the invention.

[0094] When the rotation of the drum stops, the device returns to the inactive position.

[0095] It is understood from the preceding description how the invention makes it possible to correctly wind or rewind a synthetic cable under tension and without load at its end around a winch drum, without any particular difficulty for the user U who does not need to hold or orient the cable during its winding which is done correctly and automatically thanks to the device according to the invention. The user thus avoids any risk of injury.

[0096] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for winding under tension a synthetic cable in a winch, said device comprising a reel (1) comprising a central cylinder (2) and two end discs (3, 4) coaxial with said central cylinder (2), which each extend radially from one end of said central cylinder (2), each of said two discs (3, 4) comprising a notch (30, 40) at least partially radial, capable of receiving a cable.

2. Device according to claim 1, the two notches (30, 40) of the two discs (3, 4) have notch parts (31, 41) which are aligned along an axis (XI) parallel to the axis (X) of the cylinder of the coil (1).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the notches (30, 40) has a comma shape, comprising a first notch portion (32, 42) which extends from the periphery (33, 43) of an end disc (3, 4) in a radial direction, a second notch portion (34, 44), contiguous to the first notch portion (32, 42), which extends in a direction inclined relative to the radial direction of the first notch portion (32, 42), and finally a third notch portion, forming a housing (31, 41) capable of receiving a section of cable, which is formed by a through opening wider than the section of the second notch portion (34, 44).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the notches (30, 40) of the two end discs (3, 4) are oriented in opposite directions.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coil (1) is made of two parts (10, 11) of coil (1), assembled along the axis (X) of said coil.

6. Winch (5), comprising at least one drum (50), a synthetic cable (6) capable of being wound around the drum (50), a motor (51) for driving the rotation of said drum (50) around its axis (X2), said winch (5) being capable of being mounted on the chassis of a vehicle or on other handling equipment, characterized in that it comprises a device for winding under tension said synthetic cable according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. Winch (5) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises in in addition to a cable guiding device (52) or a hawse cable guide (60), said tension winding device being implemented in front of said cable guiding device (52) or the hawse cable guide, at an exit point (55) of the cable guiding device or a slot (61) of the hawse cable guide (60), between an inactive position in which the tension winding device hangs in front of the cable guide and an active position in which it bears on the cable guide.

8. Winch (5) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a distributor device, capable of diverting the cable between different cable exit points on the drum.

9. Winch (5) according to any one of claims 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that said synthetic cable comprises polymer fibers, has a diameter of between 2 and 100 mm and has a breaking strength of 0.1 to 1000 Tons.

10. A method of operating a winch (5) according to claim 7, 8 or 9, when claims 8 or 9 depend on claim 7, equipped with a tension winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, to enable the winding of said cable (6) around the drum (50) of the winch: - positioning a portion of said cable (6) around said tension winding device, by inserting the portion of cable (6) coming out of said exit point (55) into a first notch (40) of a first disc (4) of said tension winding device, making at least one turn of said central cylinder (2) of said device with said portion of cable (6), and inserting said portion of cable (6) into a second notch (30) of the second disc (3) of said tension winding device, - positioning the tension winding device in inactive position,and - actuation of motor (51) for driving rotation of said drum (50) of said winch.,

11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that, during said step of positioning a portion of said cable (6) around said central cylinder (2) of said device, said cable (6) is wrapped three times around the central cylinder (2) of said tensioned winding device.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, after the step of actuating the motor (51), said tensioned winding device passes from said inactive position to said active position.

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