Flat Cable Winding Device Radial Tension Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flat cable winding devices experience slack issues due to friction resistance, leading to interference with rollers and impeded rotation, making smooth winding and leading out of the cable difficult.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a reversing roller that is radially slidable, allowing it to push towards the inner winding portion during winding and pull from the outer winding portion during unwinding, reducing slack and preventing interference with rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the flat cable is wound around the inner annular wall and rollers, then the cable is compactly stored, but friction resistance causes slack that interferes with roller rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable compactnessVSAvoidroller rotation smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the inner annular wall dynamically adjustable by providing it with radial movement capability. The inner annular wall can move radially inward and outward to actively manage cable tension and prevent slack formation during unwinding and winding operations, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a guide structure as an intermediary element between the cable and rollers. This guide structure directs the cable path to reduce friction and prevent slack accumulation, mediating the interaction between the cable and rollers to ensure smooth rotation while maintaining compact storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the cable is wound tightly around multiple rollers, then storage efficiency is improved, but friction resistance prevents complete slack removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidcable leading out smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inner annular wall's radial adjustability allows the system to optimize cable tension dynamically. During unwinding, the inner annular wall can move to maintain appropriate tension, preventing slack while enabling smooth cable extraction, thus resolving the conflict between tight winding for storage efficiency and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the winding system by allowing the inner annular wall to vary its radial position. This parameter change enables the system to adapt cable tension and winding tightness according to operational needs, improving both storage efficiency and cable leading out smoothness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the rotor rotates in opposite direction to unwind cable, then cable delivery is enabled, but slack accumulates due to friction resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable deliveryVSAvoidcable slack
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic radial movement of the inner annular wall compensates for slack accumulation during cable unwinding. As the rotor rotates in the opposite direction to deliver cable, the inner annular wall can adjust its position to maintain tension and minimize slack, ensuring smooth cable delivery without excessive slack accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design ensures smooth winding and leading out of the flat cable by minimizing slack and maintaining unimpeded rotation of the rotating body.

Implementation Method 1

a coil spring configured to bias the rotating body in a winding direction of the flat cable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the friction resistance induced in the flat cable wound in an overlapping fashion around the outer circumferences of the plurality of rollers and the friction resistance between the flat cable C and the rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2816694B1Flat cable winding device
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP2816694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2816694B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2816694B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a flat cable winding device which can prevent slack of a flat cable and achieve smooth winding and leading out of the flat cable. A flat cable winging device (1) includes a rotating table (4), a plurality of rollers (5), (5A), a central shaft (7) which rotatably and pivotally supports the rotating table (4), an inner winding portion (21) formed by the flat cable (2) wound around the central shaft (7), and an outer winding portion (22) formed by the flat cable (2) wound around outer circumferences of the plurality of rollers (5), (5A). By forming the outer winding portion (22), the plurality of rollers (5), (5A) is pushed toward the inner winding portion (21), preventing slack of the inner winding portion (21) when leading out the flat cable (2).