Segmented Pulley Block Covering Element for Cable Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulley blocks for hoists face challenges in easy maintenance and protection against wear, dust, and moisture, as the covering elements require re-reeving of cables and opening of hood parts for mounting, which can be hazardous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A pulley block design with a covering element divided into two parts that can be easily inserted and joined to form a mounted installation state, using retaining strips to secure the covering element without re-reeving the cable, and featuring a slot-shaped opening for improved durability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the covering element is mounted using existing methods, then the inlet and outlet openings can be closed for safety, but the mounting process requires re-reeving cables and opening hood parts which is hazardous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The covering element is divided into a first covering part and a second covering part that can be inserted separately through the inlet and outlet openings. The retaining strip is also segmented into multiple retaining elements distributed across these parts, allowing incremental installation without requiring complete disassembly or hazardous maneuvers with heavy cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting process extracts the hazardous steps of re-reeving cables and opening hood parts by using a pre-assembled covering element with integrated retaining strips that can be installed as a unit through the openings, separating the safety function from the complex mounting procedure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the covering element is made as a single integrated piece, then protection against dust and moisture is improved, but maintenance and exchange become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The covering element is segmented into at least two covering parts (first and second parts) that together form the complete protective covering. This segmentation allows individual parts to be removed or replaced for maintenance while maintaining the protective enclosure when assembled, resolving the contradiction between integrated protection and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented design enables selective replacement of worn or damaged covering parts without replacing the entire covering element. Individual parts can be discarded and new parts installed, recovering the protective function while reducing maintenance time and cost compared to replacing a single integrated piece.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inlet and outlet openings are made large to accommodate cable movement, then cable flexibility is improved, but operator safety is compromised due to larger exposed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The covering element acts as an intermediary structure that spans across the inlet and outlet openings. It provides a physical barrier that protects operators from cable movement hazards while still allowing the cable to pass through its opening. The covering element mediates between the need for large openings (cable flexibility) and safety protection, enabling large openings without exposing operators to danger.
Solution Approach 2:
The hazardous function of large open openings is extracted and replaced by the covering element with its own smaller opening. The covering element takes out the safety risk from the system by providing a protected pathway for the cable, allowing the original openings to remain large for cable flexibility while the covering element's smaller opening maintains safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A pulley block for tackles has a pulley surrounded by a covering hood having inlet and outlet openings for a load cable, with a covering element inserted into at least one of the openings and retained by a retaining strip reaching behind an edge of the opening. The covering element has an opening for the load cable that is less than the inlet and outlet opening in the covering hood. The covering element is divided into first and second covering parts such that to mount the covering element on the covering hood with the load cable in a reeved state, the first and second covering parts can be inserted into the inlet and outlet opening via the retaining strips of the first and second covering parts, then reach behind the edge of the inlet and outlet opening, and then be joined to form the covering element in a mounted state.