Motorized Power Cord Coiling Assembly for Ergonomic Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for handling power cords are inefficient, ergonomic, and costly, leading to issues such as hand pain and increased risk of personal injury due to manual wrapping and handling of power cords.
Innovation Solution
A power cord handling device and method that includes a frame assembly with a base and a device receiving area, a wheel assembly with a protrusion member and slots for coiling the power cord, and guide arms to manage the power cord during handling operations, all controlled by a motor and controller system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual wrapping of power cords is performed by hand, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but ergonomic issues such as hand pain and personal injury occur, and productivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical wrapping system with an automated mechanical coiling system. The coiling device includes a rotating drum or roller mechanism that automatically winds power cords onto itself, eliminating the need for manual hand wrapping. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing ergonomic strain while significantly increasing productivity through continuous automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coiling device is designed to perform the coiling operation autonomously once activated. The system includes sensors that detect when a power cord is inserted, automatically initiate the coiling process, and stop when complete. This self-service capability eliminates manual intervention entirely, improving both ergonomics and productivity simultaneously.
2Productivity
If automated coiling devices are introduced to increase productivity, then efficiency and safety improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coiling device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of power cords with different diameters and lengths. It includes adjustable coiling parameters and interchangeable components that allow the same device to serve various handling needs, thereby justifying the increased complexity through enhanced versatility and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into modular functional segments including a coiling mechanism, control system, sensor array, and power supply module. This segmentation allows for easier maintenance, troubleshooting, and scalability, mitigating the perceived complexity by organizing the system into manageable, independent units that can be individually optimized.
3Device complexity
If conventional manual handling methods are used, then device complexity is minimized, but ergonomic strain and risk of personal injury increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated coiling mechanism that performs all power cord manipulation tasks. This substitution eliminates direct human contact with repetitive manual wrapping motions, thereby removing the source of ergonomic harm while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through the use of a single primary coiling mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A power cord handling device and a method to adjust a power cord extending from a device are provided. A frame assembly may include a base supporting a device receiving area to receive a device. A wheel assembly may be adapted to facilitate coiling of a power cord extending from the device when the device is disposed in the device receiving area. The wheel assembly may include a protrusion member. The protrusion member may include one or more slots. A controller may be configured to control a wheel assembly motor. Guide arms may be adapted to receive one or more second portions of the power cord extending from the device and to guide the power cord during a power cord handling operation. The controller may be configured to cause the wheel assembly to perform a power cord handling operation.