Forestry Winch Belt Brake Regulating Mechanism for Smooth Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forestry winch belt brakes lack the ability to smoothly and gradually decelerate loads on inclined terrain, leading to stressful and uncomfortable manipulation, as well as mechanical stress on winch components and loads during towing operations.
Innovation Solution
A belt brake with a regulating mechanism featuring a rotatable brake disc, a flexible braking belt, and a dual-actuator brake mechanism, where the length of the regulating assembly is adjustable to control belt tension, allowing for both sudden and smooth braking by pivoting the lever with primary and secondary actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-actuator brake mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the braking intensity cannot be precisely controlled for smooth deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism is segmented into two independent actuators: a primary actuator for sudden braking and a secondary actuator for smooth braking. This segmentation allows each actuator to specialize in a specific braking regime, providing precise control over braking intensity while maintaining operational simplicity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake mechanism incorporates a regulating assembly with adjustable length that can be dynamically modified during operation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt braking characteristics to different operating conditions, enabling both sudden and smooth braking modes without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the brake belt tension is fixed, then the manufacturing is simple, but the braking regime cannot be adjusted for different operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating assembly incorporates adjustable length characteristics that allow dynamic modification of belt tension during operation. This dynamic feature enables the brake to adapt to different braking regimes (sudden or smooth) and various operating conditions without requiring multiple fixed-tension brake assemblies, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows change in the physical parameter of belt tension through the adjustable regulating assembly. By modifying the length of the regulating assembly, the tension in the brake belt can be varied to achieve different braking intensities and regimes, providing adaptability without complex manufacturing requirements.
3Speed
If sudden and stressful braking is used, then the stopping distance is short, but the mechanical stress on components and load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braking function is segmented into two distinct modes handled by separate actuators: sudden braking for rapid stopping when short distance is critical, and smooth braking for gradual deceleration when minimizing mechanical stress is priority. This segmentation allows operators to select the appropriate braking regime based on real-time operational requirements, balancing stopping distance and mechanical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary actuator provides partial braking action for smooth deceleration, applying only the necessary tension to control the load on inclined terrain without the excessive force of full sudden braking. This partial action reduces mechanical stress while still achieving effective load control, and can be combined with primary actuator action when full braking power is needed.
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
Enables safer and easier manipulation of forestry winches by allowing for precise control over braking intensity, reducing mechanical stress on components and loads, and facilitating smooth operation on inclined terrain.
Implementation Method 1
Each braking torque is generated by pressing said belt towards said circumferential surface, and merely depends on each tensioning force, friction coefficient as well as on extent of the area, in which said band is engages said circumferential surface
Implementation Method 2
between said coupling and said bush a compression spring is placed on said bolt, which is intended for returning of the mechanism back to its initial position, as soon as the brake has been deactivated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A forestry winch belt brake with regulating mechanism comprises a brake disc (1), which is capable to rotate around its rotation axis and is furnished with a smooth cylindrical circumferential surface (11), as well as with a flexible, resilient and tension-resistant braking belt (2), which is placed around said circumferential surface (11) of the disc (1) and the terminal portions (21, 22) of which are mutually connected by means of a brake mechanism and form a loop. Said brake mechanism (3) comprises a rigid lever (31), which is in the area of its first arm (311) pivotally attached in a pivot point (310), and is in the area of its second arm (312) pivotally connected with a primary actuator (32), which is optionally a hydraulic cylinder or similar means for generating a force in a desired direction. Said brake mechanism (3) further comprises a regulating assembly (33) for adjusting each tension of said braking belt (2), and said regulating mechanism (33) is pivotally connected with said lever (31) in its the central area (313), namely between said arms (311, 312). The first terminal portion (21) of the braking belt (2) is attached to said lever (31) of the brake mechanism (3) in the area of its first arm (311), and the second terminal portion (22) of said braking belt (2) is connected with said regulating assembly (33), so that a required tension of the braking band (2) is adjustable by means of adjusting the length of the regulating assembly (33), and by pivoting said lever (31) around its pivot point (310) said braking belt (2) is either pressed towards the circumferential surface (11) of the brake disc (1) or released. In addition to said primary actuator (32), which is pivotally connected to said second arm (312) of the lever (31), said brake mechanism also comprises a secondary actuator (34), which is together with said regulating assembly (33) for adjusting each tension of the braking strap (2) pivotally connected with said lever (31) in its central area (313).