Reversible Reel Flange for Variable Cable Winding Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reels are not adaptable to wind different cables of varying diameters and lengths efficiently, requiring multiple reels for different cable types, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A reel design featuring a barrel with two side plates and a reversible flange that can be assembled in two configurations, allowing the winding surface length to be modified by reversing the flange, thus accommodating cables of different lengths and diameters without needing multiple reels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a reel is designed with a fixed winding surface length, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate cables of different lengths and diameters efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The reel is divided into a fixed barrel and a reversible flange that can be detached and repositioned. The flange is segmented into two configurations that can be switched by rotating the flange 180 degrees around its radial axis, allowing the winding surface length to be changed without redesigning the entire reel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange is made dynamically reconfigurable through a simple rotation mechanism. By rotating the flange between two stable positions (first configuration and second configuration), the effective winding surface length changes from a first length to a second length, enabling the reel to adapt to different cable requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reels are used to accommodate different cable types, then each reel can be optimized for its specific purpose, but storage space increases and device management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A single reel is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different cable types through flange reconfiguration. The reel can switch between winding surfaces of different lengths (first length and second length), enabling one reel to replace multiple specialized reels, thereby reducing storage space and simplifying device management.
3Quantity of substance
If the winding surface length is increased to accommodate longer cables, then the reel capacity increases, but the reel size and weight increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The cable winding capacity is segmented into two modes by the reversible flange. Instead of increasing the overall reel length to accommodate different cable lengths, the flange is repositioned to expose different portions of the barrel as the winding surface, maintaining a compact reel size while varying the effective winding capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a reel comprising a barrel (12) with an X axis and two side plates (14) which, in an assembled position of the reel, are fixed coaxially to said barrel, each side plate comprising a cheek extending perpendicular to the X axis in said assembled position, the cheeks of the two side plates delimiting a winding surface for a cable, at least one of said side plates, called a "reversible plate", being assemblable on the barrel according to first and second configurations in which the position of the cheek (20) of said reversible plate along the X axis is different.