Threaded Shaft Cable Winding to Prevent Coil Pile-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for winding objects like cables or ropes are structurally complex and space-consuming due to the need for additional components to prevent windings from piling up, which occupy additional space.

Innovation Solution

A shaft with an external thread is positioned transversely across the drum's support surface, rotating opposite to the drum to prevent windings from accumulating by engaging with the object's lower turns via friction, minimizing design complexity and space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cable or hose guide between two rollers is used to prevent windings from piling up, then the windings are prevented from piling up, but the device becomes structurally complex and occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of winding pile-upVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of preventing winding pile-up from the complex roller guide system and implements it through a simple threaded shaft mechanism. The threaded shaft with external thread engages directly with the cable windings, eliminating the need for additional rollers and guide structures while maintaining the anti-piling function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded shaft mechanism is driven exclusively by the cable itself through frictional engagement. As the cable winds onto the drum, it automatically engages with the threaded shaft and causes it to rotate in the opposite direction, creating a self-regulating system that prevents pile-up without requiring external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a cable or hose guide between two rollers is used to prevent windings from piling up, then the windings are prevented from piling up, but the device occupies more space outside the drum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of winding pile-upVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the anti-piling function with the existing drum structure by positioning the threaded shaft within the drum's lateral protrusions. The shaft is integrated into the drum assembly rather than being a separate external component, thereby preventing winding pile-up without significantly increasing the overall device footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a threaded shaft is used to prevent winding accumulation, then the design becomes simpler and more space-saving, but the shaft must be precisely positioned and arranged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded shaft is positioned locally within the lateral protrusions of the drum, specifically in the area where the cable feed zone ends and contacts the drum. This localized positioning ensures that the shaft interacts with the cable at the critical point where winding accumulation begins, while the shaft itself remains integrated within the existing drum structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively prevents winding accumulation with minimal additional space, ensuring efficient and space-saving operation.

Implementation Method 1

The shaft can be driven exclusively by the area of the object being wound, which rests on the lower windings of the object and contacts the thread from below, by rotating the drum. The portion of the object in contact with the thread of the shaft is moved transversely to the circumferential direction of the bearing surface over the turns located below it by means of positive and/or frictional engagement with the rotating thread.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4308491B1Device for winding an object extending in a longitudinal direction, such as a line or a cable
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 IGUS SE & CO KG
  • EP4308491B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP4308491B1 patent drawingFigure 6~10
  • EP4308491B1 patent drawingFigure 11~16

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for winding an object (1) extending in a longitudinal direction, having a drum (2) with a support surface (3), which extends over the circumference, for supporting the object (1) to be wound and having elevations (4) extending radially away from the rotational axis of the drum (2) on the sides or in lateral regions of the support surface (3), wherein a device (6) is provided for preventing the windings of the object (1) from piling up, comprising a shaft (9) with an outer thread (10), said shaft extending transversely over the support surface (3) at a short distance to the elevations (4) across a narrow gap and being mounted on a component (12) arranged laterally to the drum (2).