Reusable Reel Holder With Rotating Rings for Low-Cost Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable reels are often discarded after use due to high return costs, increasing transportation and disposal expenses, and there is a need for a reusable solution that can be assembled and disassembled in the field.
Innovation Solution
A reusable reel holder comprising a first and second frame member with rotatable ring members that can be coupled with a reel's flanges, allowing independent rotation and supporting the hub, and a container for storage, enabling assembly and disassembly in the field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional wooden or plastic reels are used for cable storage and shipping, then the reels can withstand storage and shipping stresses, but the weight of the reels increases transportation costs and they are discarded after use due to high return costs
Solution Approach 1:
The reel system is divided into two segments: a disposable cardboard reel core and a reusable holder. The holder is separated from the reel core, allowing the heavy wooden/plastic reel to be replaced with a lightweight holder that can be returned, while the disposable cardboard reel is discarded after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies discarding and recovering by making the reel core disposable (cardboard) while recovering and reusing the holder. The holder is designed to be returned to the supplier after the disposable reel is emptied, eliminating the need to return heavy wooden/plastic reels.
2Duration of action of moving object
If conventional reusable reels are designed to be returned and reused, then the reels can be used multiple times, but the cost of returning them to the supplier is too high
Solution Approach 1:
The reel system is segmented into a disposable reel core and a reusable holder. Only the lightweight holder needs to be returned for reuse, significantly reducing return costs compared to returning entire heavy wooden or plastic reels.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel core is made as a cheap, disposable component (cardboard) that is discarded after use, while the expensive holder is the only component that needs to be returned and reused, minimizing return costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reusable reel holder is designed with rotatable ring members that rotate independently, then the ring members can be coupled with reel flanges and support the hub, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring members are designed to rotate independently relative to the frame members, allowing dynamic adaptation to different reel configurations. This rotational freedom enables the holder to accommodate various reel sizes and types while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A reel holder includes a first reel holder member including a first frame member and a first ring member a second reel holder member including a second frame member and a second ring member. The first ring member is configured to be coupled with the first frame member such that the first ring member is configured to be rotatable relative to the first frame member, and the second ring member is configured to be coupled with the second frame member such that the second ring member is configured to be rotatable relative to the second frame member. The first ring member is configured to be coupled with a first flange of a reel, and the second ring member is configured to be coupled with a second flange of reel. The first ring member is configured to rotate relative to the first frame member when the reel is rotated, the second ring member is configured to rotate relative to the second frame when the reel is rotated, and the first ring member and the second ring member are configured to rotate independently of one another. The first ring member includes protrusions configured to extend through the first flange of the reel, a radially outer surface of each of the protrusions is configured to support an inner surface of a hub of the reel, the second ring member includes protrusions configured to extend through the second flange of the reel, and a radially outer surface of each of the protrusions is configured to support the inner surface of the hub.