Mobile Winch System with Segmented Power and Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-mounted winches are limited by being permanently coupled to vehicles, restricting their use to areas accessible by the vehicle and causing battery drain during extended use, which can leave operators stranded.
Innovation Solution
A mobile winch system with a frame, wheels, and a handle, featuring a motorized winch and independent power source, allowing for portable operation and anchoring in inaccessible areas, powered by batteries, generators, or gas engines, with a removable anchoring strap for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a winch is permanently mounted on a vehicle, then the winch can be easily powered and operated, but the winch is restricted to areas accessible by the vehicle and cannot be used in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The winch system is divided into separate components: the winch motor assembly, the power source (battery), and the frame with wheels. These segments can be independently handled and reconfigured, allowing the system to be transported to remote locations and then assembled for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A frame with wheels acts as an intermediary carrier between the winch motor and the power source. This intermediary structure enables the winch system to be moved to inaccessible areas while maintaining the connection between components through cables and mounting mechanisms.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a winch is hardwired to a vehicle's battery, then the winch has reliable power supply, but extended use can drain the vehicle battery below starting requirements and strand the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The power source (battery) is extracted from the vehicle and integrated into the portable winch system. This separation allows the winch to be powered independently without drawing current from the vehicle battery, enabling extended operation duration while preserving vehicle battery integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source is designed to be universally compatible with the winch system while serving multiple functions: powering the winch motor during operation and potentially serving as a reserve power source for other equipment in remote locations.
3Ease of operation
If a winch system is made portable for single-person operation, then the winch can be transported to inaccessible areas, but the system must be lightweight which may reduce pulling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The frame incorporates wheels to transfer the loading task from vertical lifting (one dimension) to horizontal rolling (another dimension). This dimensional change allows a single person to easily transport the winch system over ground while maintaining substantial pulling capacity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure is designed to distribute the weight of the winch motor and power source across multiple contact points (wheels, handle, anchoring points), creating counterbalancing forces that reduce the effective weight a single person must support during transport.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile winching system is provided, whereby a preferred embodiment describes a motorized winch and power source mounted on a small frame that includes wheels, a handle, and a means for securing the winch system during operation. This mobile winch system provides a way to transport and operate a winch in areas that are otherwise inaccessible by traditional vehicle mounted winches.