Cable-Driven Traction Assembly for Scraper Cleaning Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cable-driven scraper-blade cleaning systems for animal sheds experience high energy consumption and wear due to passive resistance from inactive motor reducers, leading to increased maintenance costs and unscheduled stoppages.
Innovation Solution
A cable-driven traction assembly with a selectively activatable mechanical-coupling member between the drive and driven shafts, allowing decoupling of inactive traction assemblies to reduce energy consumption and prevent passive resistance, combined with a braking system using high-friction disks to control unwinding speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional cable-driven traction assemblies with always-engaged motor reducers are used, then the system can continuously drive the scraper-blade, but energy consumption increases significantly due to passive resistance from inactive motor reducers
Solution Approach 1:
The motor reducer is made dynamically engageable and disengageable through a coupling member that can connect or disconnect the drive shaft from the driven shaft. This allows the system to switch between powered and free-wheeling states, reducing energy consumption during the return stroke while maintaining reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The traction assembly operates in periodic cycles of powered forward motion and free-wheeling return motion. The coupling member is selectively engaged during the forward cleaning stroke and disengaged during the backward return stroke, creating a periodic pattern that reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining system reliability during critical operations.
2Duration of action of moving object
If motor reducers remain always engaged to drive the cable, then continuous drive capability is maintained, but wear and deterioration of the motor reducers increase due to constant operation and passive resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic coupling mechanism allows the motor reducer to operate only when needed for the forward cleaning stroke, reducing cumulative operating hours and wear. The coupling member physically disconnects the driven shaft from the drive shaft during the return stroke, eliminating passive resistance and extending motor reducer service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful passive resistance is extracted from the system by removing the engagement between the motor reducer and the driven shaft during the return stroke. The coupling member acts as a disconnect device that takes out the unnecessary power transmission path, reducing wear and power consumption.
3Productivity
If the mechanical coupling member is engaged to transmit power, then the drum rotates and winds/unwinds the cable, but energy is consumed by the inactive traction assembly creating passive resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning cycle is segmented into two distinct phases: powered forward motion for cleaning and free-wheeling backward motion for return. The coupling member enables this segmentation by being engaged only during the cleaning phase, allowing the active traction assembly to work efficiently while the inactive one creates no resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of passive resistance from the inactive traction assembly is converted into benefit by using the disengaged state to reduce energy consumption. The coupling member's disengagement transforms what would be a harmful resistive force into a beneficial free-wheeling condition during the return stroke.
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
Significantly reduces energy consumption, increases the durability and efficiency of the traction assemblies, and lowers maintenance costs, enabling efficient cleaning of large animal sheds without overheating or damage.
Implementation Method 1
a device for braking the drums, necessary for the arrest of the cable at the time of inversion of its unwinding direction
Implementation Method 2
a motor reducer, arranged for imparting a motion of rotation in just one direction on said drum by means of a driven shaft integral with said drive shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The present invention relates to the zootechnical field concerning cattle-farming, pig-farming, horse-farming, etc..., and in particular the present invention relates to a cable-driven (2) traction assembly (1) for systems for cleaning floors of the scraper-blade type comprising: a frame (3) for fixing to the ground; a drum (4) rotatably associated with said frame, on which said cable (2) is wound; a motor reducer (5), arranged for imparting a motion of rotation in just one direction on said drum (4) by means of a drive shaft (6); a command and control unit for said assembly, wherein said traction assembly (1) further comprises: a driven shaft (7), to which said drum (4) is steadily fixed; a selectively activatable mechanical-coupling member (8), set between said drive shaft (6) and said driven shaft (7) to enable start or interruption of transmission of the movement from said motor reducer (5) to said drum (4).