Side Puller Apparatus with Dual Winch Cable Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side pullers for recovery vehicles face challenges in safely and efficiently recovering vehicles positioned at angles perpendicular to the road surface, particularly in tight spaces, due to limitations in equipment design and stability during recovery operations.
Innovation Solution
A side puller apparatus with a frame assembly, retractable arm and leg assemblies, and dual winch assemblies that allow for flexible routing of cables to enhance recovery operations, providing stability and versatility by enabling cable attachment from different angles and points, including tie-downs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional side pullers are used with a single winch and cable, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility for different recovery scenarios are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The side puller apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: first and second winch assemblies, first and second retractable arm assemblies, and first and second retractable leg assemblies. Each module can be independently controlled and positioned, allowing flexible configuration for different recovery scenarios while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The dual winch and cable system provides multiple functions: both cables can be routed to the same side for multi-point attachment, or to different sides for balanced recovery. The retractable arms and legs can be independently positioned to accommodate various vehicle positions and road conditions, making the apparatus universally applicable to diverse recovery operations
2Productivity
If cables are routed to separate points using dual winch assemblies, then the productivity and efficiency of recovery operations are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second cables are pre-configured and routed through separate arm assemblies, allowing operators to quickly attach them to different points on the wrecked vehicle without time-consuming reconfiguration. The retractable arms are positioned in advance to provide optimal cable routing paths, accelerating the recovery process
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable arm assemblies can be dynamically extended or retracted to adjust cable length and routing as the recovery operation progresses. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to changing vehicle positions and recovery requirements, maintaining high efficiency throughout the operation
3Reliability
If the side puller apparatus is equipped with dual winch assemblies and multiple cable routing options, then the reliability of recovery operations is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable arm assemblies automatically guide and route the cables through their integrated sheaves and guides as they extend or retract. This self-routing mechanism reduces the manual intervention required for cable management, making the dual-cable system as easy to operate as a single-cable system while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple attachment points
Data Source
AI summary
A side puller apparatus includes a frame assembly adapted for mounting to a recovery vehicle, the frame assembly having first and second leg members inclined to approximately form an “A” shape and an upper member extending across tops of the leg members, first and second retractable arm assemblies respectively extendable from opposite ends of the upper member, first and second retractable leg assemblies respectively extendable from lower ends of the first and second leg members, and first and second winch assemblies respectively mounted on the first and second leg members, each winch assembly having a cable routed to a respective one of the arm assemblies, so as to be separately routable from the side puller apparatus during recovery operations.