Snatch Ring Pulley Retention Feature for Slack Rope Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional snatch rings used in horizontal rigging applications experience slack introduction, causing the rope to dislodge from the rope saddle, which can lead to damage and inefficiency in winching operations.
Innovation Solution
A snatch ring pulley assembly with a deformable retention feature, such as flexible fingers or continuous annular protrusions, that guides the rope back into the rope saddle when slack is introduced, ensuring secure retention and preventing dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional snatch ring is used in horizontal rigging applications, then the winching operation can be performed, but the rope may dislodge from the rope saddle due to slack introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The retention feature is designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the rope's movement and slack introduction during horizontal rigging operations. The retention feature can flex outward to accommodate rope entry/exit and flex inward to maintain engagement with the rope, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable rope retention and allowing ease of operation in horizontal configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention feature's physical state changes from a constrained position (when engaged with the rope) to a deformed position (when accommodating slack or rope movement). This parameter change allows the system to maintain rope retention reliability while accommodating the dynamic conditions of horizontal rigging operations where slack is introduced.
2Reliability
If the retention feature is made rigid to prevent rope dislodgment, then rope retention improves, but the retention feature cannot accommodate rope entry and exit movements
Solution Approach 1:
The retention feature transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic deformable structure that can change its configuration based on operational needs. It maintains a constrained configuration for rope retention while allowing deformation to accommodate rope entry, exit, and slack introduction, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention feature is designed as a flexible, deformable structure rather than a rigid component. This flexibility allows it to conform to the rope's position and movement while maintaining engagement, enabling both reliable retention and accommodation of rope movements during pulley operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the retention feature is made deformable to accommodate rope movement, then adaptability improves, but the retention force may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable retention feature maintains sufficient retention force through its ability to dynamically adjust its deformation state. When the rope is properly positioned, the feature deforms to a constrained configuration that provides adequate retention force. When rope movement occurs, it deforms to accommodate the movement while maintaining enough force to prevent dislodgment, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and retention force.
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 deformable retention feature maintains the rope in the rope saddle, allowing for efficient winching operations at various angles and reducing rope wear, thereby enhancing the mechanical advantage of the winch.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable retention feature may be affixed to the first outer wheel portion of the pulley wheel body. The deformable retention feature may extend toward the second outer wheel portion, uniformly around and adjacent to an outer circumference of the first outer wheel portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure may include a snatch ring pulley assembly including a pulley wheel body and a deformable retention feature affixed to the pulley wheel body. The pulley wheel body includes a rope saddle portion, a first outer wheel portion, and a second outer wheel portion substantially parallel to the first outer wheel portion. The deformable retention feature is affixed to the first outer wheel portion and extends toward the second outer wheel portion. The deformable retention feature extends uniformly around a circumference of the first outer wheel portion and extends substantially perpendicular to the first outer wheel portion.