Stringer Wheel Cable Guide with Upstanding Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable stringing operations face challenges when cables need to be pulled at angles relative to stringer wheels, leading to misalignment and potential dislodgment, requiring manual intervention to maintain alignment.
Innovation Solution
A stringer wheel and cable guide apparatus with upstanding roller members positioned adjacent to the rim of the wheel assembly, which are rotatably coupled to maintain the cable in the groove, even when the cable is pulled at an angle, and can be selectively positioned on either side of the wheel assembly depending on the angle or direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cable is pulled at an angle relative to the stringer wheel, then the cable can reach angled or perpendicular positions between wheel assemblies, but the cable risks jumping out of the groove and losing contact with the wheel
Solution Approach 1:
A guide assembly with roller members is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the stringer wheel. The roller members contact the cable and guide it into proper alignment with the wheel groove, preventing the cable from jumping out during angled pulls. This intermediary mechanism enables angled cable routing while maintaining reliable cable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide assembly is positioned upstream of the stringer wheel to preliminarily align the cable with the groove before the cable enters the wheel. By pre-positioning the cable correctly through the guide rollers, the system prevents misalignment and cable ejection during angled pulling operations, ensuring reliable engagement with the wheel groove.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to realign the cable, then cable alignment can be restored, but the pulling operation must pause and human effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly with roller members provides automatic cable guidance and alignment without requiring manual intervention. The rollers self-adjust to guide the cable into proper alignment with the wheel groove during angled pulls, enabling the system to service itself and maintain cable retention continuously without pausing the pulling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide assembly acts as an automatic intermediary mechanism that continuously monitors and corrects cable alignment. Instead of requiring human operators to manually realign the cable, the guide rollers automatically intervene to keep the cable properly positioned in the groove, maintaining operational continuity and productivity.
3Reliability
If a human line worker is positioned at the location to manually hold the cable, then cable alignment can be maintained, but equipment complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly with roller members provides automatic cable guidance and alignment without requiring manual intervention. The rollers self-adjust to guide the cable into proper alignment with the wheel groove, enabling the system to service itself and maintain cable retention continuously without pausing the pulling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide assembly acts as an automatic intermediary mechanism that continuously monitors and corrects cable alignment. Instead of requiring human operators to manually realign the cable, the guide rollers automatically intervene to keep the cable properly positioned in the groove, maintaining operational continuity and productivity.
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 apparatus effectively keeps the cable nested in the groove during stringing, reducing the need for manual realignment and allowing for efficient cable guidance at various angles, enhancing operational efficiency and safety by minimizing interruptions in the pulling process.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of roller members rotatably coupled to the framework. Each roller member has an elongate and generally cylindrical configuration situated adjacent the groove of the outer face of the rim and configured to maintain the conductor cable in the groove
Data Source
AI summary
A cable guide apparatus includes a wheel assembly having a hub and a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly from the hub, the wheel assembly having a rim coupled to distal ends of the plurality of spokes that equally displace the rim from the hub and rotatably coupled to the hub. The rim includes an outer face defining a groove configured to receive the conductor cable in a nested arrangement as the cable is strung and tensioned. The cable guide apparatus includes a guide assembly having a framework operatively coupled to the hub of the wheel assembly, the guide assembly having a pair of roller members rotatably coupled to the framework. Each roller member has an elongate and generally cylindrical configuration situated adjacent the groove of the outer face of the rim and configured to maintain the conductor cable in the groove.