Gripping Arrangement with Manual Locking for Elongate Articles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices for elongate articles, such as wires or wire ropes, face challenges in securing the articles at maximum tension, as the gripping member may not be mechanically moved to its gripping position when the tension is not at its maximum, leading to potential release of the article in dynamic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A gripping arrangement featuring a moveable gripping member with urging and locking mechanisms, where the gripping member can be manually moved to its gripping position using a lever, and locked in place with a locking pin and recess system, ensuring secure engagement of the elongate article even at sub-maximum tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gripping member is automatically moved to the gripping position only at maximum tension, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the reliability deteriorates because the article may be released in dynamic conditions where tension is not at maximum
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means is moved to the locking position in advance (before maximum tension is reached) to pre-secure the gripping member in the gripping position. This preliminary action ensures that even if tension fluctuates in dynamic conditions, the gripping member remains locked and the article is securely held, thus improving reliability without requiring complex automatic sensing mechanisms
2Reliability
If the gripping member is manually moved to the gripping position, then the reliability of secure gripping is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional manual intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the tension in the elongate article itself to automatically move the locking means to the locking position. The article's own tension serves the dual purpose of both indicating when gripping is needed and of actuating the locking mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining high reliability
3Reliability
If the locking means is added to lock the gripping member in the gripping position, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means is integrated with the gripping member assembly such that the locking pin and locking recess form a unified locking system. The locking means shares common structural elements with the gripping member, and the actuation mechanism is combined with the existing urging means, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefit of positive 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 solution ensures secure gripping and maximum load application on elongate articles, preventing release in dynamic conditions by enabling manual movement and locking of the gripping member, thus maintaining article integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The, or each, urging means may comprise a spring which can resiliently urge the gripping member to the gripping position.
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping arrangement (110) is disclosed for gripping an elongate article (111). The gripping arrangement comprises a body (112) defining a pathway (128) along which the article can extend and a gripping member (116) in the body for gripping the article. The gripping member is moveable from a non-gripping position to a gripping position. The gripping arrangement further includes urging means (122) to urge the gripping member towards the gripping position, and locking means (130) moveable from a non-locking position to a locking position. The locking means is configured to lock the article to the gripping member, when the locking means is in the locking position.