Adjustable Wire Spool Hub Stand for Easier Loading and Feeding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional welding wire feeders struggle with loading and feeding heavy wire spools due to the fixed spool plane, which is not always optimal for both loading and delivery, leading to inefficiencies in welding operations.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-angle hub stand system that allows the wire spool to be positioned at various angles relative to the mounting surface, enabling easier loading and adjustment for optimal wire feeding, featuring a lock mechanism to secure the spool hub at selectable angles and an adjustable portion pivotally coupled to the base platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hub stand is fixed in a position, then the wire feeding consistency is improved, but the ease of loading heavy spools deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hub stand is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one, allowing it to pivot between a loading position (where spools can be easily placed) and a wire feeding position (where consistent wire delivery is achieved). This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to optimize for ease of loading during spool installation and for wire feeding consistency during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub stand is divided into separable components including a base platform, a pivotable support structure, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the upper support portion to be independently positioned and locked at different angles, enabling the system to switch between loading and feeding configurations while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the spool plane is fixed, then the wire delivery to wire feeder is optimized, but the loading convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spool plane is made dynamic through the pivotable hub stand, which allows the spool to be positioned at different orientations. During loading, the hub stand can be tilted to a more accessible angle, and during wire feeding, it can be locked into the optimized position for consistent wire delivery to the feeder.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hub stand is made adjustable to multiple angles, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hub stand incorporates a pivotable support structure with a locking mechanism that enables adjustment to multiple predetermined angles. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to different loading and feeding requirements while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through the use of pivot points and locking pins rather than complex actuation systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for feeding welding wire for welding-type applications. The wire-feeder system comprises a spool hub configured to support a wire spool and a multiple-angle hub stand. The multiple-angle hub stand is configured to support the spool hub and the wire spool relative to a mounting surface. The multiple-angle hub stand comprises a lock configured to secure the spool hub relative to the mounting surface at one of a plurality of selectable angles.