Foldable Unwinder Frame with Adjustable Crown Supports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unwinder devices are often specific to particular uses or materials, lacking versatility and compactness for easy storage and transport, especially for underfloor heating tubes, cables, and flexible sheaths, which can lead to forgotten components on construction sites.
Innovation Solution
A foldable unwinder support frame with wheels and a grip, featuring a chuck shaft with adjustable crown supports and spring-loaded mechanisms for stability and ergonomic handling, allowing for compact storage and easy transport while maintaining stability during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing unwinder devices are designed for specific uses or materials, then they can provide specialized functionality, but they lack versatility and require multiple separate devices for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The unwinder device is designed with a universal support frame that can accommodate different types of reels and coils through adjustable bearing assemblies. The frame includes mounting structures that adapt to various reel diameters and configurations, allowing a single device to handle multiple materials such as cables, hoses, and pipes without requiring separate specialized equipment for each application.
2Volume of moving object
If unwinder devices are designed with fixed structures, then they provide stability during operation, but they occupy excessive storage space and are difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The unwinder device is divided into separable components including a support frame, bearing assemblies, and reel mounting structures. The support frame can be folded into a compact configuration for transport and storage, while the bearing assemblies can be detached and repositioned. This segmentation allows the device to occupy minimal storage volume when not in use while maintaining structural integrity and stability during operation through proper assembly.
3Strength
If unwinder devices use simple support structures, then they are easy to manufacture, but they cannot provide adequate stability for heavy or large-diameter coils
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame incorporates localized reinforcement at critical stress points where coils are supported and secured. Rather than constructing the entire frame from heavy-duty material, the design applies enhanced structural properties only where needed - such as at the bearing mounting locations and reel support areas - while using lighter materials for non-critical sections. This approach provides adequate support strength for heavy and large-diameter coils while maintaining ease of manufacture through optimized material distribution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If unwinder devices have fixed bearing positions, then they provide stable support for reels, but they cannot accommodate coils of varying diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assemblies are designed with adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow their positions to be dynamically reconfigured along the support frame. The bearings can be moved to different locations and secured at various positions to accommodate coils of different diameters. This dynamic adjustability is achieved through simple mechanical means such as sliding mounts or repositionable fixtures, providing versatility without excessive complexity in the adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device has coil supports that slide and are adjusted in position on a fixed arm and pivoting arms (16, 16`). The arms (16, 16`) are folded on the fixed arm by being articulated on a retaining plate (14) and maintained in folded position by spring studs. The studs are engaged in orifices on the plate. A corresponding guide is chosen along direction of coils of cables or semi-rigid tubes. A frame (2) has a rear part (7) maintained in storage and utilization positions, by a spring lock (28). The lock is engaged in holes (29, 30) provided in a sector part (31).