Shaft Cable Guide for One-Sided Floating Cover Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for connecting floating covers, such as pond covers, are inefficient and require access to both sides for installation or removal, making it difficult to manage large panels and time-consuming for servicing.

Innovation Solution

A shaft with an engagement profile and cable guide that allows for one-sided connection and disconnection of floating covers, using a helical thread or alternative profiles, with a rotational drive adaptor for secure alignment and retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional cable connectors are used to connect floating cover panels, then the covers can be connected together, but access to both sides is required for installation and removal, making the process time-consuming and difficult for large panels

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility for connection and disconnectionVSAvoidTime required for servicing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional connection approach by providing access to only one side of the floating cover panels. The cable guide extends through the panel thickness, allowing the cable and connection mechanism to be accessed from the top side only, eliminating the need to access both sides for installation and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable guide acts as an intermediary structure that channels the cable through the panel thickness. This mediator component enables the connection mechanism to be operated from one side only, as the cable is guided through the panel interior to the opposite side where it emerges for connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If floating covers are connected using conventional methods, then the panels can be assembled, but the process becomes increasingly complex and time-consuming for large panels requiring multiple connections

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSpeed of connection and disconnectionVSAvoidComplexity of connection process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the connection process by inverting the access requirement - instead of needing to access both sides of each panel connection point, all connections are made from one side only. This inversion reduces the complexity of the overall assembly process for large panels with multiple connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7793390B2Method of and apparatus for connecting floating covers

Publication Date: 2010.09.14 LAYFIELD GEOSYNTHETICS & INDAL FABRICS

AI summary

An apparatus for connecting pond covers, which includes a shaft having an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. An engagement profile is positioned on the exterior surface at a first end of the shaft. A cable guide is positioned in an intermediate position between the first end and the second end of the shaft, the cable guide being oriented transversely to the shaft. A cable is prevented from removal from the cable guide by the second end of the shaft.