Snow Groomer Winch Cable Winding Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow groomer cable winch systems face challenges in managing winch cable load and detecting winding errors, leading to potential damage and inefficient operation, especially in steep terrain.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a sensor system including an absolute value encoder and time module to monitor cable speed and length, allowing for early detection of winding errors and automatic load relief through direct intervention in the winch drive, ensuring proper winding and reduced cable stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the winch cable is monitored only for basic operation, then the system is simple, but winding errors and cable defects cannot be detected early
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring of cable winding parameters before faults occur. The sensor system continuously tracks winding layer transitions and cable position in advance, enabling early detection of winding errors and preventing cable damage before it happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives continuous feedback from sensors monitoring cable position, winding layer transitions, and reel rotation. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of winding errors and automatic intervention to prevent cable damage, resolving the contradiction between simple monitoring and reliable fault detection.
2Productivity
If high cable tension is used for economical operation in steep terrain, then productivity increases, but cable load and risk of damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors cable tension, winding layer position, and reel rotation speed. When approaching maximum cable load or detecting abnormal winding conditions, the system provides feedback to reduce tension or stop operation, enabling economical use of the cable while preventing overload damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of winch operation parameters based on real-time conditions. The system adapts cable tension and winding speed according to terrain requirements and cable status, allowing high productivity in steep terrain while maintaining cable load within safe limits through continuous dynamic optimization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A method for controlling a cable winch (2) of a tracked vehicle, comprising the steps of: detecting a track speed, detecting a cable speed, detecting an angle of a winch arm (3) relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis (F), determining a travel speed from the detected cable speed and the angle of the winch arm relative to the direction of travel, and comparing the detected track speed with the determined travel speed, is provided with the following steps: counting the revolutions of a reel (10) on which the cable (13) is held for winding and unwinding, detecting a rotation angle of a winding arm (12) that guides the cable from the reel during winding or unwinding, specifying a number of cable turns per winding layer on the reel, comparing the detected revolutions and rotation angle with the specification, and signaling an error message depending on the result of the comparison.Furthermore, a ski slope ramp for carrying out this procedure is revealed.