Fish Tape Friction-Wheel Drive for Powered Conduit Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of inserting and retrieving fish tapes into conduits is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and can cause discomfort or injury due to the effort required to push and pull cables and wires through tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
A power driver device equipped with a friction wheel and retainer mechanism, actuated by an electric motor, which facilitates the longitudinal movement of the fish tape into and out of conduits, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to insert and retrieve fish tapes into conduits, then the process requires direct human effort, but it is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and can cause discomfort or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system with an automated motor-driven system. The motor rotates the friction wheel to propel the fish tape into the conduit and reverses to retrieve it, eliminating the need for manual pushing and pulling operations while significantly reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The fish tape retrieval system is designed to be self-serving by using the fish tape itself as the driving element. The friction wheel engages with the fish tape surface, and the motor-driven rotation automatically propels and retrieves the tape without requiring external mechanical assistance or manual intervention.
2Force
If manual force is applied to push and pull cables through tight spaces, then the fish tape can be inserted into conduits, but it causes discomfort or injury due to the effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual force application with an automated motor-driven friction wheel system. The motor provides controlled rotational force that translates into linear propulsion of the fish tape, eliminating the need for operators to apply direct manual force and thereby preventing discomfort or injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction wheel acts as an intermediary between the motor and the fish tape. It transfers the rotational motion and force from the motor to the fish tape through friction engagement, enabling force application without direct manual contact with the tape or conduit, thus eliminating harmful effects to the operator.
3Productivity
If a friction wheel and retainer mechanism is used to automate fish tape movement, then efficiency is improved and manual effort is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction wheel mechanism is designed to be self-regulating through friction engagement. The retainer holds the fish tape in position while the friction wheel automatically engages and disengages based on rotational direction, eliminating the need for complex clutching or braking mechanisms and maintaining relatively simple device structure while improving productivity.
4Speed
If the friction wheel rotates to propel the fish tape, then the fish tape moves into the conduit, but the rotational motion must be converted to longitudinal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The friction wheel serves as a motion conversion intermediary. Its rotational motion creates friction-driven linear propulsion of the fish tape along the conduit. The retainer mechanism acts as a second intermediary that converts the rotational motion into controlled longitudinal movement by engaging and disengaging at appropriate points in the rotation cycle, achieving speed control without complex transmission systems.
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 power driver device significantly reduces the effort needed to insert and retrieve fish tapes, enhancing efficiency and safety by automating the process, allowing for easier navigation through tight spaces and various obstructions.
Implementation Method 1
a friction wheel configured for transforming kinetic energy into longitudinal movement of the fish tape with respect to the driver device
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device are disclosed for driving a fish tape. In some embodiments, a portion of the fish tape is loaded into a driver device. Optionally, an actuator connected to the driver device moves the tape longitudinally with respect to the driver device. For example, a distal portion of the tape and/or a distal tip thereof is driven out from and/or into an exit opening of the driver device. Optionally by retaining exit opening of the driver device near an opening of a conduit, the driver drives the distal tip of the tape into or out of the conduit. In some embodiment the tape is driven by a friction wheel. In some embodiment, power is supplied by a power tool (e.g. a power screwdriver) that is reversibly attached to the driver.