Turntable Spooling Drum for Mobile Service Line Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-line chain carriers are inflexible and can only extend in one direction from a fixed spooling drum, limiting the deployment area of services in manufacturing and servicing environments, particularly when providing services to mobile units like autonomous ground vehicles that require power, compressed air, and data while moving.
Innovation Solution
A spooling apparatus with a turntable-mounted spooling drum that rotates to maintain alignment with a mobile unit, coupled with a flexible services conduit and a twist management section to accommodate rotation without disrupting service delivery, allowing the elongate carrier to flex vertically and remain aligned with the unit as it moves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed spooling drum is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the deployment area is limited and cannot follow mobile units
Solution Approach 1:
The spooling drum is mounted on a turntable that can rotate about a vertical axis, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This allows the spooling drum to change its orientation and follow the movement of mobile units, expanding the deployment area from a single fixed direction to a multi-directional coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The spooling apparatus is divided into functionally independent components: a base for stability, a turntable for rotational movement, and a spooling drum for cable management. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while contributing to the overall adaptability of the system.
2Ease of operation
If the spooling drum rotates to follow the mobile unit, then alignment is maintained, but the carrier must flex horizontally which conventional chain carriers cannot do
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring horizontal flexibility from the chain carrier, the solution introduces vertical flexibility. The chain carrier is designed to bend vertically at specific points, allowing the spooling drum to rotate horizontally while the carrier absorbs the movement through vertical bending rather than horizontal flexing.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible coupling mechanism is introduced between the spooling drum and the chain carrier. This intermediary component accommodates the rotational movement of the spooling drum while transmitting the service lines to the carrier, which then flexes vertically rather than horizontally to maintain alignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the elongate carrier flexes vertically to accommodate rotation, then alignment is possible, but twist may disrupt service delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The twisting problem is isolated to a specific section of the carrier system. A dedicated twist management section is extracted and designed with special properties to handle rotational movements. This section absorbs the twist generated by spooling drum rotation, preventing it from propagating to the service lines and disrupting service delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational movement that causes twisting is converted into a beneficial vertical flexing motion. The twist management section is designed to convert the harmful horizontal twist into beneficial vertical bending, allowing the carrier to accommodate rotation while maintaining service line integrity through controlled vertical deformation rather than disruptive horizontal twisting.
Data Source
AI summary
A spooling apparatus is disclosed being arranged to provide one or more services to a remote ground vehicle in a maintenance facility via a multi-line elongate carrier. The spooling apparatus includes a base for receiving services to be provided to the remote ground vehicle through the elongate carrier, and a turntable mounted on the base and arranged to rotate with respect to the base. A spooling drum which houses the elongate carrier is mounted on the turntable and is free to rotate so that as the vehicle moves within the maintenance facility the elongate carrier remains oriented towards the remote ground vehicle.