Two-Speed Sailboat Winch Drive With Safe Handle Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winch arrangements for sailing boats face challenges in achieving high torque and speed requirements while maintaining a compact size, safe operation, and efficient motor performance, often leading to accidents and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A winch arrangement that combines a manual two-speed mechanism with an electric drive unit, utilizing a three-stage planetary gearbox and one-way locking mechanisms to achieve high torque and speed in both manual and motor-driven modes, with a compact design and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric drive unit is connected to the same shaft as the winch handle, then the winch can provide high torque and high speed, but the winch handle will turn when the electric drive unit is activated, resulting in accidents and injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into two separate connection paths: one for the electric drive unit and one for the manual winch handle. The electric drive unit connects to the gear transmission at a position that does not include the winch handle shaft, while the manual handle connects to the same gear transmission through a different path. This segmentation allows independent operation of electric and manual modes without interference, eliminating the safety hazard of handle rotation during electric operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear transmission acts as an intermediary mechanism between the electric drive unit and the winch drum. By connecting the electric motor to the gear transmission at an alternative position rather than directly to the winch handle shaft, the system mediates the power transfer in a way that prevents direct coupling between electric operation and handle rotation, thus ensuring safety while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If the drive unit is connected to the winch gear transmission at an alternative position, then safety is improved, but only one speed (1-speed gear) is available, which reduces motor performance at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The gear transmission is designed with multi-functionality to serve both the electric drive unit and the manual winch handle. It incorporates multiple gear ratios (1-speed and 2-speed) that can be selectively engaged depending on the operating mode. This allows the system to provide optimized performance for both electric operation (with appropriate gear ratio) and manual operation, maintaining high motor performance at low speeds while ensuring safety through alternative connection positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different gear ratios based on the operating mode. The gear transmission can engage different speed configurations to match the requirements of electric or manual operation, allowing the motor to operate efficiently across a wider range of speeds including low speeds, while maintaining the safe alternative connection configuration.
3Productivity
If an oversized electric motor is used to compensate for low speed performance, then motor performance at low speeds is improved, but the current consumption is high and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using an oversized motor, the system changes the operational parameters by incorporating a multi-speed gear transmission. This allows the motor to operate at optimized speeds and torque levels appropriate for each gear ratio, improving low-speed performance through mechanical advantage rather than motor size. The motor maintains its original size and power consumption characteristics while achieving enhanced low-speed capability through the gear system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for an oversized electric motor with a mechanical gear transmission system that provides torque multiplication. Instead of increasing motor size to achieve low-speed torque, the system uses mechanical gears to substitute for the additional motor capacity, thereby maintaining low current consumption and compact dimensions while achieving the required performance.
4Productivity
If an oversized electric motor is used, then motor performance is improved, but space requirements and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the performance achievement method from increasing motor size to optimizing gear ratio selection. The multi-speed transmission allows the same-sized motor to deliver enhanced performance across different speed ranges, eliminating the need for oversized motors and their associated space requirements while maintaining high performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear transmission system is integrated in a compact nested configuration where the electric drive unit, gear transmission, and winch components are arranged in a space-efficient manner. The alternative connection positioning allows for compact integration of the motor and gear system within the winch housing, reducing overall volume requirements while maintaining full functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides safe, efficient, and flexible operation with high performance at both high and low speeds, reducing the need for oversized motors and minimizing space requirements, while ensuring easy installation and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission mechanism is a three-stage planetary gearbox
Implementation Method 2
one-way locking mechanisms to achieve high torque and speed in both manual and motor-driven modes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a winding, particularly a winch, arrangement (100) comprising a two speed manually operable winding member (10) and a drive unit (20) comprising a motor (21). The drive unit (20) comprises a transmission arrangement connected to a motor shaft (25), an outgoing shaft (22) with an outer gear wheel (23). The transmission arrangement is adapted to allow the outgoing shaft gear wheel (23) rotate in the same direction but at different speeds depending on rotational direction of the motor (21). The manual winch (10) is adapted for reception of the outgoing shaft (22) allowing the winch drum (1) to be motor (21) driven. The drive unit (20) comprises means (67, 68) allowing engagement/disengagement of the outgoing shaft gear wheel (23) from the manually operable winding member (10) and the winding arrangement can be used as a two-speed manual or a two speed motor driven winding arrangement.