Slidable Drag Winch Assembly for Tow Vehicle Boom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drag winch assemblies for tow vehicles with slidable boom assemblies are voluminous and weight-heavy, limiting towing capacity and restricting the slidable boom's full range of motion due to fixed mounting on the rear main frame, which is not suitable for heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A drag winch assembly with a slidable support connected to the slidable boom assembly, allowing the drag winch to move between a frontmost and rearmost position, featuring a pulley assembly and a drum assembly with a wider width to maintain an optimal fleet angle, and a connector assembly for removable attachment, enabling increased towing capacity and operational flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drag winch assembly is fixedly mounted on the rear main frame, then the structure is simple and stable, but the towing capacity is decreased and the slidable boom assembly cannot be displaced completely
Solution Approach 1:
The drag winch assembly is mounted on a slidable support that can move along the main frame between a frontmost position and a rearmost position, transforming the fixed mounting into a dynamic, adjustable mounting. This allows the boom assembly to achieve full range of motion while the winch can be repositioned as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is divided into separate components: the main frame, the slidable support with rollers, and the drag winch assembly. This segmentation allows independent movement and adjustment of each component, resolving the conflict between stability and adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the drag winch assembly is mounted on the rear main frame, then the mounting is simple, but the weight increases and towing capacity is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The slidable support enables the drag winch assembly to be easily repositioned along the main frame without requiring complex installation or removal procedures. The rollers on the slidable support facilitate smooth movement, maintaining ease of operation while distributing weight more effectively.
3Strength
If the drag winch assembly is voluminous and weight-heavy, then the structure is robust, but the towing capacity is limited and the fleet angle optimization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drum assembly is designed with increased width (dimensional change) to optimize the fleet angle of the dragging cable, achieving better mechanical efficiency without necessarily increasing overall volume or weight. This dimensional optimization allows for improved productivity while maintaining structural strength.
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 enhances the towing capacity and working area of the tow vehicle by allowing the slidable boom assembly to operate freely, maintaining stability during lifting operations and reducing load on the main frame when needed, while maintaining an optimal fleet angle for efficient dragging operations.
Implementation Method 1
The pulley assembly is configured to receive the dragging cable and redirect its force
Implementation Method 2
the cable exerts a force on the pulley assembly in a direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main frame
Implementation Method 3
a drum assembly upon which the dragging cable is configured to be wound
Data Source
AI summary
A drag winch assembly for a tow vehicle, such as a wrecker, that includes a slidable boom assembly. The drag winch assembly comprises a slidable support connected to the slidable boom assembly in slidable engagement with the main frame of the wrecker and a drag winch mounted on the slidable support. With this configuration, the slidable support is slidable between a first position corresponding to the frontmost position of the slidable boom assembly and a second position corresponding to the rearmost position of the slidable boom assembly, providing advantages existing winch assembly configurations.