Battery Powered Fish Tape Motorized Drum Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of traditional fish tapes requires significant effort and attention to extend and retract the wire through conduits, making the process tedious and labor-intensive, especially for longer lengths like 200 feet.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered fish tape tool with a motorized drive assembly that includes a rotatable drum and a drive selector for switching between powered and manual modes, using a pinion gear assembly to engage or disengage with a ring gear for efficient wire extension and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to extend and retract the fish tape wire through conduits, then the tool structure remains simple, but the operator effort and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system with an electric motor-driven system. The motor is connected to the drum through a drive assembly that includes a pinion gear and rack mechanism, converting electrical energy into mechanical rotation to extend and retract the fish tape wire automatically, thereby reducing operator effort while accepting increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fish tape tool is designed to perform the retraction function automatically without requiring manual pulling by the operator. The motorized drum winds the wire back onto the drum self-service style, eliminating the need for the operator to manually pull the wire through the conduit while it is being retracted.
2Length of moving object
If the fish tape wire length is increased to reach farther conduits, then the coverage area improves, but the manual pulling effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electric motor to replace the manual mechanical pulling system. The motor provides continuous rotational force to the drum, enabling the tool to handle longer wire lengths (up to 200 feet or more) without increasing the force the operator must exert, as the motor does the work of pulling the wire through the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized system enables the fish tape wire to be pulled through conduits much faster than manual operation. The continuous motor-driven rotation of the drum rapidly extends and retracts the wire, reducing the time required for the operation and allowing the operator to skip the tedious manual pulling process entirely.
3Productivity
If the drum rotation is made continuous for automated wire feed, then the productivity increases, but the loss of manual control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the drive mechanism can switch between powered and manual modes. A disengageable connection allows the pinion gear to be separated from the rack, enabling the drum to rotate freely for manual operation when needed, while allowing motor-driven continuous rotation for automated operation when productivity is prioritized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between powered motor-driven operation and manual operation based on the operational needs. The motor provides continuous rotation during wire extension or retraction phases, then disengages to allow manual drum rotation for positioning or fine adjustments, creating a periodic alternation between automated and manual control modes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces operator fatigue and speeds up the process by mechanizing the wire pull and retract, allowing continuous movement of the drum and reducing manual exertion, while maintaining the option for manual operation when needed.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor disposed in the housing. The electric motor provides a rotatably powered output shaft
Implementation Method 2
a pinion gear assembly rotatably powered by the drive of the electric motor. The pinion gear is axially positionable between a first position in which the pinion gear is engaged with the ring gear, and a second position in which the pinion gear is disengaged from the ring gear
Data Source
AI summary
A powered fish tape having a rotatable drum is described for pulling electrical wires through conduit or other enclosed regions. The fish tape utilizes an electric motor and a gear assembly for extending or retracting the fish tape and wires attached thereto. The fish tape includes a powered mode and a manual mode. When placed in the manual mode, an operator may manually rotate the drum to extend or retract the fish tape.