Coupled Cable Winches for Fast Power Transmission Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission systems involving cables are laborious and time-consuming to disassemble and reattach, and the cable length variation during use is not adequately addressed, leading to inefficiencies and complications.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two cable winches with engagement devices that allow for easy coupling and decoupling of cables, enabling efficient transfer of power and torque while allowing one winch to drive the other, with features like biased winding axes and toothed gearing for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a cable is employed to transmit power between components, then power transmission is achieved, but disassembly and reattachment become laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cable transmission function into two separate cable winches (first cable winch and second cable winch) that can operate independently. Each winch has its own engagement device, allowing the cables to be controlled separately. This segmentation enables one winch to remain engaged while the other is serviced, reducing disassembly time and maintaining power transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement devices act as intermediaries between the cable winches and the cables. These engagement devices facilitate quick coupling and decoupling of the winches to their respective cables, eliminating the need for laborious manual disassembly and reattachment while ensuring reliable power transmission when engaged.
2Length of moving object
If cable length is varied by winding and unwinding on a cable winch, then cable length adjustment is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the cable length adjustment function into the engagement devices themselves. The engagement devices are designed to automatically wind and unwind the cables as they engage and disengage from the cable winches, combining the coupling/decoupling function with the cable length adjustment function in a single mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement devices serve multiple functions: they couple and decouple the cable winches from the cables, control the winding and unwinding of the cables, and adjust the effective cable length. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each function, reducing system complexity while achieving cable length variation.
3Ease of repair
If one cable winch drives the other through engagement, then maintenance effort is reduced, but the engagement device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cable winch functions into two independent units, each with its own engagement device. This allows one winch to be serviced or replaced without affecting the other, as the engagement devices enable independent coupling and decoupling. The segmentation isolates maintenance requirements to individual units, reducing overall maintenance effort despite the added engagement 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
Facilitates quick and efficient maintenance, reduces cable length adjustments, and enhances power transfer efficiency by allowing high forces and torque transmission with a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The first cable winch and the second cable winch may each comprise a toothed gearing configured to engage with one another
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (10) for transmitting power. The system (10) comprises a first component (12) which includes a first cable winch (14) configured to rotate to at least partially wind and unwind a first cable (16) on the first cable winch (14). The system (10) comprises a second component (20) which includes a second cable winch (22) configured to rotate to at least partially wind and unwind a second cable (24) on the second cable winch (22). The first component (14) comprises a first engagement device (26) and the second component (20) comprises a second engagement device (30) configured to selectively engage with the first engagement device (20) to couple and decouple the first cable winch (14) and the second cable winch (22) to and from each other, respectively, such that rotation of one of the first cable winch (14) and the second cable winch (22) causes rotation of the other of the first cable winch (14) and the second cable winch (22), when the first cable winch (14) and the second cable winch (22) are in a coupled state. The present invention further relates to an assisting device (90) and a method of operating a system (10).