Cable Tensioning Apparatus with Dynamic Actuator Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cable transport installations face challenges in maintaining optimal cable tension due to varying operating conditions, such as vehicle loading and temperature changes, while existing tensioning systems have a large footprint, making them unsuitable for space-constrained applications.
Innovation Solution
A cable tensioning system with a pulley and a mobile carriage on a guide rail, utilizing multiple coupling positions for linear actuators to extend the carriage's range of movement without increasing the installation's size, allowing for greater tension adjustment flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a single-position actuator is used in a conventional tensioning installation, then the structure is simple, but the carriage travel range is limited to approximately half the actuator's longitudinal size
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator coupling position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The coupling means can switch between a first coupling position and a second coupling position, allowing the actuator to be repositioned along the guide rail. This dynamic repositioning enables the carriage to travel across the entire length of the guide rail rather than being constrained to a limited range around a fixed actuator position.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail is effectively segmented into multiple sections by providing multiple coupling positions for the actuator. Each coupling position corresponds to a different section of the guide rail, allowing the actuator to serve different portions of the track. This segmentation approach extends the total travel range without requiring multiple actuators.
2Length of moving object
If the actuator stroke is increased to cover the entire guide rail length, then the carriage can travel the full range, but the longitudinal size of the tensioning installation becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single actuator with a stroke equal to the full guide rail length, the system uses a shorter-stroke actuator that can be dynamically repositioned. The actuator's coupling position changes to match the carriage's position on the guide rail, allowing the same actuator to control the carriage throughout its entire travel range without requiring excessive longitudinal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves multiple functions by being able to couple at different positions along the guide rail. A single actuator with limited stroke capability can control the carriage across the entire guide rail length by being repositioned, making the actuator universally applicable to different sections of the track rather than requiring a dedicated long-stroke actuator.
3Length of moving object
If multiple actuators are used to cover different sections of the guide rail, then the carriage travel range is extended, but the number of components and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single actuator with dynamic repositioning capability rather than multiple fixed actuators. The actuator's coupling position can change to match the carriage's position, allowing one actuator to perform the work that would otherwise require multiple actuators distributed along the guide rail.
Solution Approach 2:
The functionality of multiple actuators is merged into a single actuator through the addition of a repositionable coupling mechanism. Instead of having separate actuators for different sections, the system combines their functions into one actuator that can be moved to serve different sections, reducing the total component count while maintaining the same travel range.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for tensioning a cable (1) by means of a tensioning apparatus comprising a pulley (2) over which said cable (1) passes, a carriage (3) for supporting said movable pulley (2) on a guide rail (4), and one or more linear actuators (7) for moving the carriage (3), wherein said method includes: connecting an actuator (7), in a first position, between a first bearing point (8) and a second bearing point (9) which are stationary relative to the rail (4) and relative to the carriage (3), respectively, so as to enable the movement of the carriage (3) over a first portion of the rail (4) and the control of said actuator (7) on the basis of the tension set point of the cable (3); disconnecting the actuator (7) from the first position thereof; connecting an actuator (7), in a second position, between a third bearing point (10) and a fourth bearing point (11) which are stationary relative to the rail (4) and relative to the carriage (3), respectively,, at least one of the third bearing point (10) and fourth bearing point (11) being separate from the first bearing point (8) and second bearing point (9) so as to enable the movement of the carriage (3) over a second portion of the rail (4) and the control of said actuator (7) on the basis of the tension set point of the cable (3). The invention also relates to a tensioning apparatus and to an apparatus for transport via cable.