Friction Ring Radial Locking for Winding Spool Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction rings for rewinding spools fail to maintain a stable connection between the spool core and the ring when tension is released, leading to potential displacements and assembly difficulties, and require complex tools or directional dependency during mounting and dismounting.
Innovation Solution
A friction ring design featuring an inner ring with radially expandable strips and an outer ring with locking elements, where elastic means such as compression springs keep the locking elements in a radially outward position, ensuring a stable connection regardless of tension and allowing for easy assembly and disassembly independent of shaft rotation direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking elements (balls or rollers) are arranged in guides with variable extension on the outer surface of the inner ring, then locking function is improved, but connection stability when tension is not applied deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing elastic means (springs) that continuously exert a retaining force on the locking elements, counteracting the tendency of the connection to loosen when tension is not applied. This ensures the locking elements remain in their locking position and maintain stable connection even during idle periods between winding operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex tools or directional dependency are used during mounting and dismounting, then assembly precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the locking elements to be automatically actuated by the rotation of the shaft itself, without requiring external tools or complex procedures. The shaft's rotation directly moves the locking elements radially to engage or disengage from the spool core, making the assembly and disassembly operations simple and tool-free while maintaining precise locking.
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 friction ring maintains a secure connection to the spool core even without tension, facilitating fast and tool-free assembly and disassembly, while ensuring reliability and safety, and can be easily manufactured from common materials, making it economically competitive.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means, in particular constituted by compression springs, which act between the outer ring and the inner ring in order to push the locking elements in a radial direction, namely in an outward radial direction
Implementation Method 2
provided with strips that extend parallel to the axis and provide friction coupling by introducing compressed air in chambers provided below such strips
Implementation Method 3
strips that extend parallel to the axis and provide friction coupling by introducing compressed air in chambers provided below such strips
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A friction ring (1) for friction shafts, particularly for winding spools, comprising an inner ring (2), which can be arranged on a friction shaft (3) and is associated with an outer ring (15), from which means (17) protrude for detachably locking the core of a winding spool (40) that can be mated to the friction shaft (3), means being further provided for activating the locking means (17) by mutual rotation between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (15), elastic means (30) being provided which act between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (15) to push the locking means (17) radially outward.