Dual-Portion Wire Tensioning Element for Asymmetrical Tension

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire tensioning systems for agricultural applications, particularly in viticulture, often result in asymmetrical tensioning of parallel wires, leading to misalignment and loss of parallelism, which affects the proper containment and support of vegetation.

Innovation Solution

A wire tensioning element with a dual-portion structure that allows for separate adjustment of wire tension, featuring a gear-like engagement mechanism to ensure unidirectional rotation and prevent mutual rotation, thereby enabling precise and symmetrical tensioning of both wires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single roller tensions both parallel wires simultaneously, then the tensioning operation is simplified, but asymmetrical tensioning and misalignment of wires occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensioning operationVSAvoidwire alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single roller is divided into two separate rollers, each independently responsible for tensioning one wire. This segmentation allows each roller to be adjusted and tensioned separately, eliminating the asymmetrical tensioning problem that occurs when a single roller tensions both wires simultaneously, while still maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the roller is supported by holes on a support post, then the roller is stable during tensioning, but the roller may still incline with respect to its ideal transversal winding position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller stabilityVSAvoidroller positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is enhanced by adding lateral constraint elements that specifically prevent inclination in the transversal direction. This local quality improvement maintains the overall stability provided by the hole support while adding precise positioning control to eliminate roller inclination during tensioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the two wires are tensioned differently due to natural stress or accidental impacts, then the wires respond to operational conditions, but their parallelism and horizontal positioning is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire stress adaptationVSAvoidwire parallelism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates adjustable tensioning mechanisms that allow operators to monitor and correct wire tension asymmetries. The separate roller design provides visual and mechanical feedback when wires become misaligned, enabling real-time adjustments to restore parallelism while maintaining adaptability to operational stress conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 prevents asymmetrical tensioning and misalignment of wires, maintaining their parallelism and ensuring optimal support and containment of vegetation, while also simplifying the assembly process and allowing for individual adjustment by a single operator.

Implementation Method 1

The first end of the second portion comprises a gear-like engagement mechanism allowing the first and second portions to be rotatably connected to each other, wherein the gear-like engagement mechanism prevents the first and second portions from mutually rotating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear engagement: Gear

Implementation Method 2

an elastically compensating device for two wires, comprising a wire tensioning element according to at least one of claims 1 to 6 and an elastic element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4368016B1Wire-tensioning element for separately controlling the tension of two wires
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 BORTOLUSSI FRANCO
  • EP4368016B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4368016B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4368016B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural wire-tensioning element (1), to a device or elastic compensating element comprising said element and a system for supporting rows of plants including such wire tensioning element (1). In particular, the invention relates to a wire tensioning roller provided with a structure that is advantageously adapted to separately adjust the tension of two wires, significantly simplifying the assembly operation by also reducing the required personnel and eliminating the stopper.