Quick Change Height Adjustment Mechanism for Reel Stand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reel stands for wire or cable storage reels are not adjustable, making them incompatible with differently sized spools, which limits their versatility and usability.
Innovation Solution
A quick-change height adjustment mechanism featuring a U-shaped plate with a locking pin and pivot pin that allows the reel stand to be easily adjusted in height by seating a post within a cavity and engaging with a spindle, enabling quick positioning changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed reel stand is used, then the structure is simple and production cost is low, but it cannot accommodate differently sized spools
Solution Approach 1:
The reel stand is divided into modular components: a base, a post with multiple holes at different heights, and a plate with spaces for spindles. This segmentation allows the plate to be repositioned along the post to accommodate different spool sizes while keeping each individual component simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The post serves multiple functions: it provides structural support and simultaneously offers multiple positioning options through its holes. The plate with its spaces can accommodate spindles of different positions, making the same reel stand structure universal for various spool sizes without requiring multiple different stands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable height mechanism is added, then versatility improves, but the number of parts and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into simple discrete elements: holes positioned at different heights on the post and corresponding spaces on the plate. This avoids the need for complex continuous adjustment mechanisms while providing multiple fixed height options, reducing the number of parts required.
Solution Approach 2:
The holes in the post and spaces on the plate act as intermediaries that enable height adjustment. These simple geometric features serve as the adjustment mechanism without requiring additional complex components, thereby minimizing the quantity of parts while achieving versatility.
3Ease of operation
If a quick-change mechanism is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing a complex mechanism to actively move the plate to different heights, the invention inverts the approach: the plate is designed with pre-positioned spaces that align with holes in the post at various heights. The adjustment is achieved by simply positioning the plate, rather than by an active adjustment mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-change height adjustment mechanism allows a reel stand to accommodate differently sized storage spools. A plate of the mechanism forms a cavity into which a post is seated and has at least one space which receive a spindle of the spool. A pin engages with the plate to hold the plate in position relative to the post.