Cable Winding Device Leaf Spring Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable winding devices face challenges such as high manufacturing costs due to metal rollers and difficulties in proper installation, leading to potential component loss and inefficient cable management.
Innovation Solution
A cable winding device with a cable locking structure that eliminates the need for a metal roller, utilizing a leaf spring and a reel disc with a cable locking mechanism that allows for adjustable cable length and easy rewinding, reducing fabrication costs and installation complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal roller is used in the cable winding device, then the cable locking function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive metal roller with a plastic roller (component 123), which is cheaper to manufacture and easier to install. The plastic roller achieves the same cable locking function through its interaction with the guiding groove (1222) and channel (1221) in the reel disc, eliminating the need for costly metal components while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the metal roller mechanism with an integrated plastic roller and groove system. The roller moves along a confining groove (1215) in the case and interacts with guiding grooves (1222) and channels (1221) in the reel disc, creating a purely plastic/machined component system that replaces the metal roller while achieving the same mechanical locking function.
2Reliability
If a metal roller is used in the cable winding device, then the cable locking function is achieved, but the installation complexity increases leading to potential component loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the roller (123) with the reel disc (122) by providing the roller as an integrated component that fits into the reel disc structure. The roller is positioned to interact with the guiding groove (1222) and channel (1221) that are formed directly in the reel disc, creating a unified assembly that reduces installation steps and eliminates the risk of losing separate metal roller components during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic roller (123) is designed as a simpler, easier-to-install component compared to the metal roller. Its plastic construction allows for easier handling and assembly, and the integrated design with the reel disc ensures it remains in place during assembly, preventing component loss.
3Volume of moving object
If the roller size is small, then the device compactness is improved, but the installation precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific geometric features (guiding groove 1222 and channel 1221) in the reel disc that precisely guide the small roller (123). These localized structural features ensure the roller is positioned correctly during assembly, compensating for its small size and ensuring proper installation without requiring high overall manufacturing precision across the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding groove (1222) and channel (1221) act as intermediary structures that mediate between the small roller (123) and the reel disc (122). These intermediate features guide the roller into its correct position during assembly, making the installation process more tolerant and reducing the precision requirements for assembling the small roller component.
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
The solution minimizes the risk of improper installation, reduces manufacturing costs, and allows users to select and rewind the desired cable length effortlessly, enhancing usability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral spring 124... In response to pulling forces exerted on the USB connector 10 and the signal connector 11, the reel disc 122 and the spiral spring 124 are rotated counterclockwise such that the roller 123 moves in the channel 1221 toward the curved trough 1223. At the same time, the spiral spring 124 is being deformed. A sudden release of the pulling forces will cause the roller 123 to move in the guiding groove 1222 such that the reel disc 122 stops rotating and the cable 125 is locked.
Implementation Method 2
When a pulling operation of the cable 22 causes the leaf spring 211 to be sustained against the fixing part 231 of the cable locking structure 23, a desired length of the cable 22 is pulled out from the case 20 and locked.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A cable winding device (2) comprises a case (20), a reel disc (21), a cable (22), and a cable locking structure (23). The case (20) comprises a first case element (201) and a second case element (202). The reel disc (21) is disposed between the first case element (201) and the second case element (202), wherein the reel disc (21) has a leaf spring (211). The cable (22) is wound on the reel disc (21). The cable locking structure (23) has a fixing part (231) and at least partially penetrates the first case element (201) and the reel disc (21). When a pulling operation of the cable (22) causes the leaf spring (211) to be sustained against the fixing part (231), a desired length of the cable (22) is pulled out from the case (20) and locked. When the cable locking structure (23) is pressed and the fixing part (231) is detached from the leaf spring (211), the cable (22) pulled outside the case (20) is rewound on the reel disc (21).