Hurdle Counterweight Cable System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hurdles with coil spring and gear wheel counterweight systems are prone to malfunction and require significant force to raise, and are not durable enough to withstand rough treatment.
Innovation Solution
A hurdle with a continuous loop counterweight system using cables and actuating rods that automatically move counterweights without coil springs or gear wheels, allowing for adjustable height and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If coil spring counterweight systems are used, then automatic counterweight movement is achieved, but the system requires significant force to raise and is prone to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coil spring component from the counterweight system entirely. Instead of using springs to provide counterbalancing force, the invention uses a cable-pulley mechanism where cables run from counterweights through pulleys to connect to the gate board, eliminating the need for springs and their associated downward force on the gate tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the coil spring mechanical system with a cable-pulley mechanical system. The cable-pulley arrangement provides a different mechanical approach to achieving counterbalance, substituting the elastic force of springs with the gravitational force on counterweights transmitted through cables and pulleys.
2Extent of automation
If coil spring counterweight systems are used, then automatic counterweight movement is achieved, but the system is prone to malfunction and breaks frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coil spring component which is identified as the part that malfunctions or breaks most frequently. By eliminating springs entirely and using a cable-pulley-counterweight system, the invention removes the source of frequent failures while maintaining automatic counterweight movement functionality.
3Extent of automation
If gear wheels and racks are used for counterweight movement, then automatic counterweight movement is achieved, but the system is prone to malfunction under rough treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gear wheel and rack mechanical system with a cable-pulley mechanical system. This substitution eliminates the complex meshing components that are prone to malfunction under rough treatment, using instead a simpler cable-pulley arrangement that is more durable and maintenance-free.
4Reliability
If coil springs are located in legs or uprights, then counterweight function is achieved, but the springs are difficult to repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coil spring component entirely from the system, eliminating the repairability issue. By replacing springs with a cable-pulley-counterweight system, the invention removes the component that is difficult to repair while maintaining the counterweight function.
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 hurdle is more durable and easier to raise, with reduced maintenance needs and improved durability due to the absence of coil springs and gear wheels, maintaining consistent pull over weight across varying heights.
Implementation Method 1
a first cable connected to the leading end of each counterweight, then running horizontally to and around the first cable guide, then running horizontally to and around the second cable guide, then running vertically to and connecting with the bottom of the actuating rod
Implementation Method 2
a counterweight inside each leg, each counterweight being movable horizontally... maintaining consistent pull over weight across varying heights
Data Source
AI summary
A hurdle with movable gate tubes that telescope upon uprights has an automatically movable counterweight inside each leg. Each counterweight is attached to two cables. The first cable runs from the leading end of the counterweight to a cable guide inside the leading end of each leg, then to a cable guide at the intersection of the leg and the upright, then to an actuating rod. The second cable runs from the trailing end of the counterweight to a cable guide at the intersection of the leg and the upright, then to a cable guide near the top of the upright, and then to the actuating rod.