Torsion Spring Winding Drum for Motor-Free Line Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winding drums for devices like magnetic resonance scanners require a power supply and electric motors, which are costly, complex, and interfere with electromagnetic fields, necessitating a simpler, compact, and non-interfering drive mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A torsion spring is used as the drive mechanism for the winding drum, providing a return force that rotates the drum in the winding direction, eliminating the need for electric motors and allowing integration into devices sensitive to electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric motor is used to drive the winding drum, then the drum can be rotated reliably in both winding and unwinding directions, but the apparatus becomes complex, expensive, and generates electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the electric motor from the system, replacing it with a purely mechanical torsion spring drive mechanism. This eliminates electromagnetic components and power supply requirements while maintaining the core winding and unwinding functionality through mechanical means alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical drive system (motor) with a mechanical drive system (torsion spring). The torsion spring stores mechanical energy during unwinding and releases it during winding, substituting electrical energy conversion with pure mechanical energy storage and release.
2Power
If an electric motor is used to drive the winding drum, then sufficient power can be provided for winding operations, but additional power supply connections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power supply system entirely by extracting the electric motor and replacing it with a self-contained mechanical energy storage system. The torsion spring stores energy mechanically during the unwinding phase and releases it during winding, eliminating all power supply connections and electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring performs preliminary energy storage during the unwinding operation, accumulating mechanical energy that is then released to power the winding operation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for external power supply during winding.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic shielding is added to prevent interference, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but the device becomes highly complex and involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent takes out and removes the source of electromagnetic interference (the electric motor) from the system. By replacing the motor with a mechanical torsion spring drive, there are no electromagnetic fields generated, making electromagnetic shielding unnecessary and eliminating the associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of electromagnetic interference into a benefit by using a purely mechanical drive system. The mechanical torsion spring drive not only eliminates electromagnetic interference but also provides inherent simplicity and reliability, turning the constraint into an advantage.
4Volume of moving object
If a compact drive mechanism is used, then space is saved in the winding direction, but the drive force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring provides dynamic force characteristics where the drive force varies during operation. During unwinding, the spring is loaded and stores energy; during winding, the spring releases energy providing the necessary drive force. This dynamic behavior allows a compact mechanism to deliver sufficient force through efficient energy storage and release.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring mechanism changes the force parameter dynamically during operation. By adjusting the spring characteristics and preloading, the system optimizes the drive force output within a compact volume, allowing the same mechanism to provide both compactness and sufficient driving capability.
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 torsion spring offers a compact, low-maintenance, and efficient drive solution that does not require additional power connections, maintains structural simplicity, and operates without interfering with electromagnetic fields, suitable for devices like MRI scanners.
Implementation Method 1
Upon rotation of the drum in the unwinding direction the torsion spring is stressed in torsion and, by virtue of the torsional stress generated thereby, exerts a torque on the drum
Implementation Method 2
the torsion spring exerts a return force on the drum, wherein the return force exerts a force on the drum for rotating the drum in the winding take-up direction
Data Source
AI summary
A winding drum for a line and/or for a line guide device which is adapted to receive and guide at least one line, wherein the drum is rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein a first end region of the line and/or line guide device is or can be fixed to the drum and the line and/or line guide device can be wound on to and unwound from the drum by rotation of the winding drum in a winding-on and an unwinding direction about the drum longitudinal axis, wherein there is provided a drive device engaging the winding drum in order upon rotation of the drum in the unwinding direction thereof to exert a return force on the drum for rotation thereof in the winding-on direction. The drive device is in the form of a torsion spring which upon rotation of the drum in the unwinding direction is subjected to torsional stress and by virtue of the torsional stress exerts a torque on the drum for rotation thereof in the winding-on direction and the torsional stress exerts the return force on the drum.