Rope Splice Diameter Consistency via Strand Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rope termination methods, such as forming eye splices, often result in a thickened rope portion adjacent to the eye, which can adversely affect the rope's operation in certain environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and structure where selected strands are extracted and reinserted between defined splice locations to form a bridge portion, maintaining a consistent rope diameter and eliminating the thickened splice region, allowing for a smooth transition and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional splicing techniques are used to form an eye in a rope, then the rope can be terminated to facilitate mechanical engagement, but a thickened rope portion is created in the splice region which adversely affects rope operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic thickened splice region by removing material from the rope ends and creating a tapered configuration. The eye formation process extracts excess rope material through controlled cutting and tapering, eliminating the bulk that causes operational issues while maintaining the structural integrity of the splice.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding material to create the eye (which would cause thickening), the patent inverts the approach by removing material to form the eye structure. The rope ends are tapered by cutting away material, and the eye is formed through this reduction rather than addition, fundamentally reversing the conventional splicing logic.
2Reliability
If conventional splicing techniques are used to form an eye in a rope, then the rope can be secured to structures, but the thickened splice region creates operational adverse effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of a thickened splice region into a benefit by deliberately creating a tapered configuration. The material removal process, which could be seen as weakening the rope, actually eliminates the harmful thickened portion while distributing stress more evenly through the tapered transition zones, improving overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the rope in the splice region by creating specific taper angles and controlled thickness variations. Instead of maintaining uniform thickness (which creates the harmful thickened portion), the rope dimensions are systematically varied through tapered cuts, transforming the splice region from a harmful bulk addition to a controlled geometric transition.
Data Source
AI summary
A rope structure or method of forming a rope structure comprises a rope comprising a plurality of strands. The rope comprises first and second splice locations, an eye region between the first and second splice locations, and a main region. The main region of the rope is located adjacent to the first splice location and in an opposite direction along the rope from the eye region. At least one of the strands is a selected strand. An extracted portion of the at least one selected strand is extracted from the rope and inserted into the rope such that a bridge portion of the at least one selected strand extends between the first and second splice locations and a diameter of the rope is substantially consistent in the main region.