Hexagonal Wire Cart with Axle Support Cams for Spool Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for dispensing materials from spools or reels are cumbersome, require manual lifting, and lack stability, often necessitating two users or machinery for lifting and can tip over when unreeling heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A hexagonal cart design with two identical support frames and a main axle that elevates and secures the spool using axle support cams and locking cams, allowing one-person operation and preventing tipping by distributing weight evenly below the center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heavy spools are manually lifted onto traditional dispensing devices, then the material can be dispensed, but it requires two users or machinery and increases the risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The cart allows the spool to be rolled onto the axle at ground level rather than lifted overhead, equalizing the potential energy state and eliminating the need for manual lifting. The spool remains on the ground throughout the loading process, then is simply rolled forward onto the moving cart.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of lifting the spool up to the dispensing device, the invention inverts the process by bringing the dispensing device (cart) down to ground level and rolling the spool onto it. The cart moves to the spool rather than the spool being raised to the cart.
2Productivity
If traditional dispensing devices are used to unreel heavy loads, then material can be dispensed, but the device tips over due to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from stationary ground-based dispensing to mobile elevated dispensing. By raising the spool onto the cart frame, the system moves the dispensing operation to a different vertical dimension, positioning the center of gravity over the wheel base for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cart frame structure is designed to counterbalance the weight of the spool and unreeling material. The elevated position on the frame and the distribution of weight across the wheel base create a counterbalancing effect that prevents tipping during heavy load dispensing.
3Ease of manufacture
If heavy spools are manually handled, then material can be loaded, but the risk of injury and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cart design enables single-person operation for loading and dispensing heavy spools. The individual performs the loading task themselves by rolling the spool onto the cart, eliminating the need for assistance and reducing the harmful factors associated with manual handling.
4Productivity
If traditional dispensing devices are used, then material can be dispensed, but the devices are cumbersome and difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The cart transitions from a static dispensing device to a dynamic mobile platform. The wheeled design allows the entire dispensing system to be easily moved to different locations, combining the material dispensing function with mobility and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a unique cart for transporting and dispensing spooled or reeled materials such as wire, carpet, or cable. The apparatus allows a user to elevate a spool of material off the ground into a suspended position where the material can be unreeled, without the user having to manually lift the spool. The apparatus also allows the user to transport or move the elevated material from place to place while still in the cart. The apparatus also contains a feature for transport, storage, and unreeling of multiple spools of material.