Capstan Assembly with Independently Rotatable Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cables can become mis-wrapped or fouled on cable drums during winding and unwinding operations, leading to equipment damage and operational delays due to issues like slack, misalignment, binding, and damage.
Innovation Solution
A cable tensioning capstan assembly with a capstan drum and independently rotatable traction flanges, which includes a system of gears and one-way roller bearings to differentially tension the cable and prevent mis-wrapping and fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable drum is used to wind and unwind cables, then cable management is achieved, but the cable can become mis-wrapped or fouled leading to equipment damage and operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
The cable drum is segmented into multiple independent components: a capstan drum for winding the cable and separate traction flanges that can rotate independently. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the capstan drum manages the main cable winding while the traction flanges control cable tension and alignment, preventing mis-wrapping and fouling
Solution Approach 2:
The traction flanges are designed to be independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum, creating a dynamic system where the flanges can adjust their rotation to maintain proper cable alignment and tension during both winding and unwinding operations, thereby preventing cable mis-wrapping and fouling
2Manufacturing precision
If cable tension is increased to prevent mis-wrapping, then cable alignment improves, but cable damage and binding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tension control function is separated from the winding function by using independent traction flanges that can be selectively engaged or disengaged. This allows the system to apply tension only when needed for alignment during winding operations, while allowing the cable to run freely during unwinding, thereby preventing both mis-alignment and excessive tension damage
Solution Approach 2:
The independently rotatable traction flanges provide dynamic tension control - they can be engaged to apply tension when cable alignment is needed during winding, and disengaged to allow free cable movement during unwinding operations, thus maintaining precise alignment without causing binding or damage
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 effectively reduces the likelihood of cable mis-wrapping and fouling, preventing equipment damage and operational delays by ensuring proper tension and alignment of the cable during winding and unwinding.
Implementation Method 1
a first one-way roller bearing disposed between the first shaft portion and the first clutch gear. The first one-way roller bearing may be configured to transfer rotation from the first shaft portion of the input shaft to the first clutch gear in response to rotation of the input shaft in the first direction and is configured to allow free rotation of the first clutch gear relative to the first shaft portion of the input shaft in response to rotation of the input shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction
Implementation Method 2
the first traction flange comprises a first gear track circumferentially extending around a radially inward surface of the first traction flange that engages the first clutch gear. In various embodiments, the first clutch gear is configured to drive rotation of the first traction flange about the output axis in response to rotation of the first clutch gear in a first direction
Implementation Method 3
The capstan drum may include a capstan drum gear track circumferentially extending around a radially inward surface of the capstan drum that engages the pinion, wherein the pinion is configured to drive rotation of the capstan drum about the input axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A cable tensioning capstan assembly comprises a capstan drum (105) and at least a first traction flange (110). The capstan drum (105) may be configured to support a cable (e.g., a cable is configured to wrap around the capstan drum), and the capstan drum (105) may be configured to rotate about an output axis (52). The first traction flange (110) may be disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis (52). In various embodiments, the first traction flange (110) is independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum (105). A clutch assembly between an input shaft (51) and the first traction flange (110) may facilitate the independent rotatability of the first traction flange (110).