Integrated Dial Pawl Spring Winding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoelace winding devices have complex structures, require multiple components, are costly, and have reliability and maintenance issues due to increased size and weight, making them difficult to assemble and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A simplified winding device design featuring a drum with upward teeth, a base with a cylindrical drum accommodation portion, a dial with downward teeth and an annular gear, and a pawl integrated with a spring portion that controls the dial's rotation, reducing the number of components and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex dial structure with radial projections and troughs is used to control drum rotation, then the dial can achieve locked and unlocked states, but the handle size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dial, pawl, and spring components into a single integrated dial assembly. The pawl is formed as an integral part of the dial, and the spring is positioned within the dial structure, eliminating the need for separate handling of these components and reducing overall handle size while maintaining control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The dial serves multiple functions: it winds the lace by rotating the drum, it locks the drum in position through the pawl mechanism, and it provides tactile feedback through the spring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing size
2Reliability
If multiple components are assembled to configure the dial structure and pawl-spring mechanism, then the winding device can achieve locked and unlocked states, but the assembly and maintenance processes become lengthy and intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The dial, pawl, and spring are designed as an integrated assembly that can be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit. This reduces the number of separate components that need to be assembled and maintained, simplifying the manufacturing and maintenance processes while preserving the locked/unlocked functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The winding device is segmented into two main assemblies: the integrated dial-pawl-spring unit and the drum unit. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of each sub-assembly and simplifies maintenance by allowing the dial assembly to be replaced as a unit without disassembling individual components
3Reliability
If multiple components are used to configure the dial and pawl structure, then the winding device can achieve controlled rotation, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the dial, pawl, and spring into an integrated assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This integration lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the rotation control functionality through the unified design
4Reliability
If a pawl structure with spring is used to control dial rotation, then the dial can be locked in position, but the structure becomes complicated and requires multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The pawl and spring are integrated into the dial structure as a unified assembly. The pawl is formed as an integral part of the dial, and the spring is positioned within the dial body, creating a compact locked/unlocked mechanism that reduces structural complexity while maintaining position control functionality
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 reduces the size and weight of the device, increases strength and durability, and decreases assembly and maintenance time, while enhancing reliability and operability.
Implementation Method 1
elastic deformation of the spring portion toward an inside of the drum accommodation portion may cause the pawl to slide up and over the projection of the annular gear
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~3
Figure 4(A)~4(C)
AI summary
It is an object of the present invention to provide a winding device that has a small number of components, has a simplified structure, is small-sized and lightweight, and is excellent in durability. The present invention is a winding device 1 including a base 3 including a drum accommodation portion 33 that accommodates a drum 4 including upward teeth 46, the accommodation portion 33 being cylindrical and having a closed end, and a dial 5 including downward teeth to rotate the drum 4. The dial 5 is moved to a locked state in which the downward teeth are engaged with the upward teeth 46 to transmit rotation of the dial 5 to the drum 46 and an unlocked state in which the downward teeth are disengaged from the upward teeth 46. The winding device 1 includes an annular gear including projections and troughs extending in the rotation axis direction of the dial 5 and a pawl 36 protruding from the drum accommodation portion 33. The pawl 36 is designed to engage with the annular gear. The annular gear and the pawl 36 control rotation of the dial.