Support Device Protecting Member Enhances Shaft Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support devices for cylindrical members wound with elongated bodies face issues with data communication complexity, increased cost, and potential damage to data carrier members due to contact with support shafts, as well as low bending rigidity of operating shafts under load.

Innovation Solution

A support device design featuring a protecting member with a reduced-diameter section at the distal end of the support shaft to house the operating shaft, preventing contact with the data carrier member and enhancing bending rigidity, allowing for secure anchoring and data communication without compromising the data carrier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the data communication means is built in the support shaft, then data communication functionality is integrated, but the structure becomes more complicated and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication functionalityVSAvoidsupport shaft structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data communication means from the support shaft by using a separate reader-writer unit that can be positioned nearby without being integrated into the rotating shaft structure. This eliminates the need for complex rotary joints or slip rings while maintaining data communication capability through external positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the cylindrical member is externally inserted into the support shaft, then the support structure is simplified, but the data carrier member may be broken by contact with the support shaft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structureVSAvoidcontact damage to data carrier
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protective tube as an intermediary component between the support shaft and the data carrier member. This protective tube prevents direct contact between the support shaft and the fragile data carrier, eliminating the risk of breakage while allowing the cylindrical member to be externally inserted into the support shaft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the operating shaft protrudes from the distal end of the support shaft, then the anchoring operation is enabled, but the bending rigidity of the operating shaft decreases under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring operationVSAvoidbending rigidity of operating shaft
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the support shaft structure by adding a separate protective tube at the distal end, which houses the operating shaft. This segmentation allows the operating shaft to protrude for manual operation while the protective tube provides structural support to maintain bending rigidity under load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3378807B1Support device
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 LINTEC CORP
  • EP3378807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3378807B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is a support device in which a data carrier member can be disposed on an inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical member such that the data carrier member is not broken by coming into contact with a support shaft, and a shaft part for operating a anchoring means has high bending rigidity. A support device (21) for supporting a cylindrical member (6) around which is wound an elongated body (RS) has: a support shaft (213) for supporting the cylindrical member (6) that is fitted to an external surface of the support shaft (213) from an opening on one end in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical member; an anchoring plates (217), built into the support shaft (213), for anchoring the cylindrical member (6) from an inner circumferential side of the cylindrical member (6); and an operating means having an operation shaft (214) of a smaller diameter than the support shaft (213), the operation shaft (214) protruding forward from a distal end of the support shaft (213) in order to operate the anchoring plates (217). Further, the support device (21) has a protecting member (218) which is attached to the distal end of the support shaft (214) and through which is inserted the operation shaft (214). The protecting member (218) further has a reduced-diameter section (218b) smaller in diameter than the support shaft (213).