Powered Rope Ascender with V-Groove Drum for Continuous Pulling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional winches and rope ascenders are limited by the need for manual strength, restricted pull distance, fixed attachment points, lack of controlled tension release, and incompatibility with various rope types, making them unsuitable for heavy load lifting and rescue situations, especially when handling fragile loads or requiring multitasking.
Innovation Solution
A portable, hand-held rope ascender device equipped with a rotational motor, anisotropic friction gripping drum, and a safety clamp that allows attachment at any point on the rope, enabling controlled, continuous pulling with high force and speed, and accommodating various rope types and diameters, while preventing disengagement and allowing upward travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional winch is used to lift heavy loads, then pulling capability is improved, but the device must be fixed to a solid structure which limits placement and usability
Solution Approach 1:
The winch system is divided into separate components: a portable powered ascender unit that can move independently along the rope, and a separate anchor point system. This segmentation allows the high-force winch mechanism to be decoupled from fixed structural requirements, enabling placement flexibility while maintaining pulling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rope itself serves as an intermediary medium that transfers the pulling force from the portable winch to the load. The powered ascender clamps onto the rope and moves along it, using the rope as both the transmission medium and the guide rail, eliminating the need for the winch to be fixed to solid structures.
2Force
If a cable is fixed permanently to the drum of a winch, then pulling force is improved, but the maximum pull distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static cable-drum configuration to a dynamic powered ascender that moves along the rope. The ascender can travel any distance along the rope by sequentially engaging and disengaging from different positions, allowing unlimited pull distance while maintaining full pulling force through the rope.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered ascender is self-propelled along the rope through its own motor-driven mechanism. It does not require the rope to be wound onto a drum or fixed to it, instead using its own power source to move along the rope and pull the load, thereby eliminating distance limitations.
3Speed
If passive rope ascenders are used for vertical climbing, then upward motion is achieved, but the rate and extent of ascent are limited to the capabilities of the user
Solution Approach 1:
The human-powered mechanical system of passive ascenders is replaced with an electrically-powered system. The powered ascender uses an electric motor to drive the gripping and release mechanism, substituting human strength and endurance with electrical power, thereby dramatically increasing ascent rate and removing user capability limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power input parameter from human mechanical effort to electrical power. This parameter change enables the ascender to operate at much higher speeds and for longer durations without being limited by human fatigue or strength, while simplifying operation to merely activating the motor.
4Force
If diamond grit is used in passive ascenders to grip the rope, then gripping force is improved, but the rope is destroyed for future use
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism changes from abrasive mechanical grip using diamond grit to a friction-based grip using rubber or polymer materials. This parameter change in the gripping surface material allows sufficient gripping force to be achieved without the abrasive damage that destroys the rope, enabling rope reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered ascender uses composite materials, particularly rubber or polymer compounds, for the rope-gripping surfaces. These materials combine high friction coefficients for strong gripping with non-abrasive properties that protect the rope, replacing the purely abrasive diamond grit with a more sophisticated material solution.
5Reliability
If controlled release of tension is required for safe operation, then safety is improved, but many winches lack this capability which limits usability
Solution Approach 1:
The powered ascender incorporates feedback control through a brake system that responds to motor current, voltage, or position signals. This feedback mechanism automatically applies or releases braking force to control tension during operation, providing safe controlled release capability that was previously unavailable in simple winches, thereby improving both safety and usability.
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 device provides efficient, controlled, and continuous pulling of heavy loads with high force and speed, is easy to use, and adaptable to different rope types, enhancing usability in rescue, recreation, and industrial applications, while preventing rope disengagement and allowing attachment at any point, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional winches and ascenders.
Implementation Method 1
anisotropic friction gripping drum
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (200) for pulling an elongate member includes a rotational motor (201) having an output and a rotating drum (207) connected to the output of said rotational motor, the rotating drum having two elongate member contacting surfaces, the two elongate member contacting surfaces being arranged substantially in the shape of a V and configured to apply a tension to the resilient elongate element; a guide mechanism guiding the resilient elongate element onto, around at least a portion of the circumference of, and off of the rotating drum; the guide mechanism including a guide wall (301) and entry tooth (300) for guiding the resilient elongate member onto the rotating drum and the guide mechanism including an exit tooth (204) and exit scoop (302) for disengaging the resilient elongate member from the V shaped groove; whereby when said rotational motor turns the rotating drum, the rotating drum thereby continuously pulls the resilient elongate element through the device.