Cycloidal Winding Drive for Compact Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing winding/unwinding devices face challenges in achieving compactness, precise torque control, and modularity, particularly in handling significant reductions and sudden jolts, while also being cost-effective and adaptable to various applications.

Innovation Solution

The proposed winding/unwinding device incorporates a synchronous permanent magnet engine with a cycloidal reducer, featuring a mobile input shaft, a coaxial output shaft, and a cycloidal disc system that allows for eccentric and cycloidal movement, enabling a wide range of reduction ratios and improved torque control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a bevel gear reducer is used to achieve significant reduction ratios, then the reduction capability is improved, but the device becomes less compact and cannot withstand significant jolts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction capabilityVSAvoidcompactness
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional bevel gear mechanical system with a cycloidal mechanism. The cycloidal disc engages with fixed pins to generate the cycloidal motion, eliminating the need for complex bevel gear arrangements while achieving higher reduction ratios in a more compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cycloidal curves in the disc geometry to achieve the desired motion transformation. The cycloidal path of the disc perimeter points generates the characteristic motion that provides both high reduction ratio and compactness, replacing straight-cut gear teeth with curved cycloidal profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Power

If a bevel gear reducer is used, then the reduction ratio is achieved, but the device cannot withstand brief and/or significant jolts due to limited tooth contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction ratioVSAvoidshock resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple engagement points between the cycloidal disc and fixed pins, creating simultaneous contact across the disc perimeter. This distributed contact mechanism spreads shock loads across multiple points rather than concentrating them at single gear tooth contacts, significantly improving shock resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If an asynchronous motor is used, then the device can operate, but torque control accuracy deteriorates with deviations of around 15%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational capabilityVSAvoidtorque control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system using an encoder to monitor the actual position and speed of the motor shaft. This feedback is fed to the frequency inverter, which adjusts the motor commands in real-time to compensate for slippage and maintain accurate torque control, directly addressing the asynchronous motor's inherent inaccuracies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If electronic regulation with frequency inverter is used, then torque control is achieved, but modularity deteriorates when controlling multiple motors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque controlVSAvoidmodularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal control architecture where a single frequency inverter can control multiple asynchronous motors through coordinated feedback from encoders on each motor. This multi-functional control system maintains precise torque control while enabling modular configurations with one, two, or three motors depending on application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a compact, modular, and cost-effective winding/unwinding system with precise torque control, capable of handling significant reductions and sudden jolts, while being adaptable to various applications through the use of multiple synchronous engines.

Implementation Method 1

at least one permanent magnet synchronous motor comprising a rotor arranged around a first part of the output shaft, the rotor being integral in rotation with the input shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

in which each cam is eccentric, so that a rotation of each cam around the longitudinal axis causes a rotation of the at least one cycloidal disc according to an eccentric and cycloidal movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric motion: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4153886B1Device for winding/unwinding a link
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 CONDUCTIX WAMPFLER FRANCE
  • EP4153886B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4153886B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4153886B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention describes a device for winding/unwinding a link, comprising: - an input shaft (10) and a hollow through output shaft (20), the two shafts being coaxial and able to rotate about a longitudinal axis (L), - a synchronous motor (30) with permanent magnets and comprising a rotor (31) that rotates as one with the input shaft (10), - a cycloidal reducer (50) comprising an eccentric cam (51) mounted so as to rotate as one with the input shaft (10), and a cycloidal disc (52) mounted so as to rotate as one with the cam (51), such that rotation of the cam (51) around the longitudinal axis (L) causes the cycloidal disc (52) to rotate according to an eccentric and cycloidal movement, and - a transmission member (60) suitable for transmitting an angular movement of the cycloidal disc (52) to the output shaft (20).