Cam Ascender Spring Cassette Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rope ascenders face difficulties in easy installation and dismantling of elastic return means, such as torsion or traction springs, which can be error-prone and damaging during reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A cam lock with a return spring integrated in a retaining cassette, configured to be preloaded and easily removable, featuring elastic fingers for secure clipping into the cam lever housing, allowing for quick mechanical fastening and a single mounting position, ensuring easy assembly and disassembly without risk of error or damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If torsion springs are mounted coaxially on the ends of the pivot to ensure the return of the cam, then the cam can be reliably returned towards the rope, but the reassembly of these springs is not easy when installing the cam and pivot assembly in the chute
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the spring assembly into separate modular components: the pivot assembly with cam can be installed independently into the chute, and the torsion springs are mounted separately on the pivot ends afterward. This segmentation allows the main assembly to be completed without the complexity of spring installation, while still achieving reliable cam return functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot and cam assembly is prepared and installed in the chute first, establishing the basic structure before adding the spring components. This preliminary action allows the main mechanical assembly to be in place before the elastic return means are attached, simplifying the overall installation process while ensuring reliable operation.
2Ease of operation
If the spring is integrated in a retaining cassette which is arranged in a housing of the cam lever, then the spring can be easily removed and reassembled, but the cassette structure adds complexity to the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is extracted from direct integration with the cam lever and placed inside a removable retaining cassette. This allows the spring to be easily accessed, removed, and reinstalled by simply detaching the cassette from the lever housing, significantly improving maintenance ease while containing the structural complexity within a modular unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is nested within the retaining cassette, which itself is nested within the cam lever housing. This nested structure allows the spring to be protected and organized within a dedicated compartment, enabling easy removal of the entire cassette assembly for spring replacement without disassembling the entire cam lever mechanism.
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 enables straightforward and error-free assembly and disassembly of the cam lock, ensuring the spring remains in a pretensioned state, effectively urging the cam towards the rope, enhancing user safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring biasing the cam towards the rope
Implementation Method 2
The spring is formed by a torsion spring of the spiral type, mounted around the tip of the cassette
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a cam-operated ascender with a removable axle, in which the return spring 17 is integrated into a housing 18 of the cam 14 by means of a retaining cassette 19, configured to position the spring 17 in a pre-tensioned state. The cassette 19 is equipped with clipping means adapted to fit into the housing of the lever 13. Applications: safety ascender on rope