Adjustable Pulley Array Stem Inclination Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mechanical lift installations, the absence of roller inclination adjustment leads to premature wear of cables and vehicles, causing loss of horizontality and increased maintenance costs due to the need for custom wedges to compensate for stem tilts.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical device with adjustable spacers and beveled wedges allows for post-tightening adjustment of the stem's inclination relative to the shoe, ensuring rollers remain vertical, reducing production costs through standardized parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rigid wedge is used to compensate for stem tilt, then roller inclination can be adjusted, but manufacturing precision and procurement costs increase due to custom-made requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller vertical alignmentVSAvoidcustom wedge production
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment system is divided into modular components: a standardized rigid wedge with fixed geometry, and an adjustable beam that can be positioned at different angles. This segmentation allows the wedge to be mass-produced as a standard part, while the beam provides the necessary adjustment capability through its articulated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The beam is designed to be adjustable in its angular position relative to the shoe and stem assembly. This dynamic capability allows the system to compensate for various stem tilt angles without requiring custom wedges for each case, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If stem tilt is compensated without adjustment means, then production costs decrease, but roller inclination defects occur causing cable and vehicle wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardized productionVSAvoidroller vertical alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid wedge is pre-manufactured with precise geometry to provide the necessary inclination compensation. By preparing this standardized component in advance, the system achieves both ease of manufacture through standardization and reliability through pre-calculated geometric compensation for stem tilt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid wedge acts as an intermediary element between the shoe and the stem assembly. It mediates the tilt angle by providing a fixed angular offset that compensates for stem inclination, thereby ensuring vertical roller alignment without requiring complex active adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If adjustable spacers and wedges are used, then roller alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller vertical alignmentVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment capability is localized to specific positions where inclination compensation is needed, rather than making the entire system adjustable. The rigid wedge and adjustable beam are positioned only where stem tilt compensation is required, keeping the rest of the system simple and fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2030859B1Mechanical device for adjusting a pulley array for supporting and guiding an overhead cable of a mechanical ascending system
Publication Date: 2011.03.02 POMAGALSKI
  • EP2030859B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2030859B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2030859B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The device has adjustment units adjusting inclination of a support (15) relative to a shoe (20) in a lateral direction (D2) after clamping the shoe relative to the support, where the direction is oriented parallel to rotation axes of sheaves. The units have a spacer (36), with a fixed height, inserted between a zone of a top surface of the shoe and a bottom surface (17) of the support. A spacer (37) having a variable height of the units is inserted between the bottom surface and another zone of the top surface, where the latter zone is displaced relative to the former zone in the direction.