Ribbon Trainable Around Take-Up Device for Power and Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to efficiently supply electrical power to loads through suspension members like bands or cables during frequent cycles of winding and unwinding on drums or sheaves, particularly in scenarios where movement occurs within short durations, such as less than one minute.
Innovation Solution
A ribbon system that is windable and unwindable from a drum or sheave, incorporating an electrical lead portion and a sheath portion with movable components, which can act as both a load-bearing and electrical supply mechanism, allowing for the interconnection of loads requiring electrical current and functioning as the sole operative connection between a device and the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate load-bearing member and electrical supply member are used, then reliability of electrical connection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the load-bearing function and electrical supply function into a single integrated ribbon assembly. The ribbon includes both mechanical strength to support the load and embedded electrical leads to supply power, eliminating the need for separate load-bearing member and electrical cable. This merging reduces system complexity while maintaining both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribbon is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs mechanical support (load-bearing) and electrical power transmission. By integrating these two functions into one universal component, the system achieves both reliability of electrical connection and reduced device complexity.
2Productivity
If frequent winding and unwinding cycles are performed, then productivity is improved, but the ribbon may experience fatigue and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbon incorporates a sheath portion that can move relative to the electrical lead portion, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt during winding and unwinding cycles. This dynamic flexibility reduces stress concentration and fatigue accumulation, enabling high-speed cycling while maintaining ribbon durability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribbon design allows for relative movement between the sheath and electrical leads, changing the mechanical parameters during operation. This parameter change enables the ribbon to accommodate the stresses of frequent winding/unwinding cycles without failure, maintaining both productivity and reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ribbon structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to handle dynamic loads may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbon is segmented into distinct functional portions: an electrical lead portion and a sheath portion. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity. The sheath can move relative to the leads, providing dynamic load handling capability, while the modular structure simplifies manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A ribbon for an arrangement via which electrical power can be supplied to a load via a suspension member, such as a band or cable, while movement of the load occurs via deliberate winding up of the band or cable onto the drum or sheave or unwinding of the band or cable from the drum or sheave. The ribbon includes an electrical lead portion having one or a plurality of individual electrical leads and a sheath portion. The sheath portion and the electrical lead portion are moveable with respect to each other.