Security Hoist Pulley With Elastomeric Ring For Uniform Cable Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security hoists for high-rise maintenance and cleaning operations face issues with uneven pressure distribution on cables, frequent maintenance needs, and compatibility with various cable types, leading to reliability concerns and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A hoist design featuring a driving pulley with a peripheral groove and a continuous elastomeric polymer ring that provides even pressure and gripping, reducing maintenance frequency and accommodating diverse cable types through calibrated abutment means and a low friction coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If metal springs are used to press pulley halves together, then gripping force is provided, but pressure distribution on cable becomes uneven and frequent maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal springs to a polymer elastic element, which fundamentally alters the force distribution characteristics. The polymer material provides more uniform elastic deformation across the pulley halves, ensuring even pressure distribution on the cable while maintaining sufficient grip force.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining polymer material with the metal pulley halves. The polymer elastic element serves as an intermediary that distributes force uniformly, while the metal pulley halves provide structural strength. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between providing adequate grip force and ensuring uniform pressure distribution.
2Force
If metal springs are used to press pulley halves together, then gripping force is provided, but frequent calibration and replacement are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer elastic element is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily replaced when worn. This disposable approach to the elastic element simplifies maintenance compared to complex metal spring systems requiring calibration and adjustment, reducing overall maintenance frequency and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from metal springs to polymer material, the invention achieves a component that is inherently more stable and requires less calibration. The polymer's elastic properties remain consistent over time and temperature variations, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and calibration.
3Ease of operation
If pulley halves are pressed together to grip cable, then cable slipping is prevented, but pressure distribution remains uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer elastic element acts as an intermediary between the pulley halves and the cable. It distributes the pressing force uniformly across the cable surface while maintaining sufficient friction to prevent slipping. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction between preventing cable slip and ensuring even pressure distribution.
4Force
If standard pulley design is used, then basic cable gripping is achieved, but compatibility with various cable types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer elastic element provides universal compatibility with different cable types (steel wire ropes, synthetic ropes) due to its material properties. The polymer can adapt to various cable surfaces and diameters, making the hoist applicable to diverse maintenance operations without requiring design modifications.
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 ensures consistent and secure cable gripping across various cable types, reduces maintenance burdens, and maintains performance in adverse conditions, enhancing safety and reliability without the need for frequent recalibration or replacement of metal springs.
Implementation Method 1
a continuous polymer ring having a width which is the difference between a radius of an inner circular face and a radius of an outer circular face, said polymer ring comprising two flat ends extending in planes normal to a ring axis
Implementation Method 2
The polymer is preferably elastomeric polyurethane
Implementation Method 3
The contact surfaces between the polymer ring and fast parts of the driving pulley are advantageously covered by a low friction coating
Data Source
AI summary
A hoist or capstan fitted with a driving pulley. The latter comprises a peripheral groove for taking a cable and two substantially parallel pulley halves, each pulley halve comprising a flank forming the lateral side of the peripheral groove and being axially pulled toward each other so as to prevent the slipping of a cable by elastic means formed of a continuous polymer ring.