Canted Coil Spring Winch Handle Retention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capstan winches pose safety hazards due to the risk of winch handles becoming dislodged during use, and existing latching mechanisms are often cumbersome and difficult to engage or disengage, especially during time-sensitive sailing maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
The use of mating fluted surfaces between the winch handle and the winch, combined with a canted coil spring positioned in a groove, increases the force required to remove the winch handle, providing secure retention without the need for a manual release mechanism, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating plate latch mechanism is used to secure the winch handle, then the handle is held in place, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to engage or disengage quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex rotating plate latch mechanism entirely and replaces it with a simple friction-based retention system using a tapered bore and spring-loaded ball detent. This extracts the unnecessary complexity while maintaining the essential function of handle retention through the socket's internal geometry and minimal latching elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The winch handle's tapered shaft automatically engages with the socket's tapered bore, creating self-retaining friction lock upon insertion. The spring-loaded ball detent automatically engages with the tapered surfaces to secure the handle, eliminating the need for manual operation of complex latching mechanisms while maintaining reliable retention.
2Ease of operation
If a ball and detent latch mechanism is used, then operation is easier and faster, but a latching mechanism requiring operator action is still needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-latching system where the tapered bore and shaft automatically create friction retention upon insertion, and the spring-loaded ball detent automatically engages with the tapered surfaces to lock the handle in place without requiring any manual operation. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion alone to trigger both the friction lock and the detent engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the need for operator-actuated latching mechanisms entirely, extracting the unnecessary step of manual engagement or disengagement. The handle is retained through passive friction and automatic detent engagement that occurs simply by inserting the handle into the socket, eliminating all manual latching operations.
3Device complexity
If the winch handle is not properly latched, then the mechanism is simple, but safety hazards occur including injuries and loss of handle overboard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive elements such as a spring-loaded ball detent and tapered friction surfaces instead of complex mechanical latches. These simple components provide reliable safety retention while being easy to manufacture and replace if needed, offering robust safety protection through straightforward mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs tapered (conical) surfaces in the bore and shaft that create increasing friction retention as the handle is inserted. The conical geometry naturally generates radial outward force that presses the handle against the socket walls, providing automatic progressive retention that enhances safety without requiring complex mechanisms.
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
This solution enhances safety by preventing unintended disengagement of the winch handle, simplifies the latching process, and allows for quick connect and disconnect functionality, reducing the risk of accidents and maintenance issues while maintaining operator convenience.
Implementation Method 1
deflecting a plurality of coils of a canted coil spring when moving the winch handle axially relative to the winch
Data Source
AI summary
A winch is provided for taking or winding ropes, cables, and the like. The winch has a drum, a lower crown, a rope groove and an upper crown having a socket which has a fluted cavity. The fluted cavity is configured to cooperate with a pin of a winch handle, which when turned rotates the drum. In an embodiment, the fluted cavity has a groove having a canted coil spring positioned therein. The pin on the winch handle has a groove placed to correspond with the depth of the groove when placed into the socket. The combination allows the winch handle to latch to the winch and to resist unintended separation between the two.