Winch Drive Device with Parallel Secondary Shafts for Balanced Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winch drive systems lack compactness, lightweight design, and balanced torque, requiring numerous components and frequent maintenance, which is a challenge across various applications including oil platforms, sailing boats, and tidal power plants.
Innovation Solution
A drive device for a winch comprising a large belt pulley connected to a winch drum, with at least two parallel secondary shafts and a prime mover, utilizing a system of belts or chains for rotational connection, reducing the number of components and ensuring balanced torque, while allowing for high torque generation through speed conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional winch drive systems are used, then high torque transmission is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and complex with numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive shafts and transmission elements into a single integrated drive shaft that directly connects the motor to the winch drum. This merging of components eliminates the need for complex gear trains, multiple shafts, and intermediate transmission elements, thereby reducing the total number of components while maintaining high torque transmission capability through direct drive
2Power
If traditional winch drive systems are used, then high torque transmission is achieved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple heavy transmission components into a single direct-drive shaft system, the overall mass of the drive system is significantly reduced. The elimination of gear sets, multiple shafts, bearings, and coupling elements removes substantial weight while the direct connection maintains efficient torque transmission from motor to drum
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary intermediate transmission components from the drive system. By taking out the complex gear trains and multiple shafts that were traditionally used to achieve torque multiplication, the design achieves high torque transmission through direct motor coupling, thereby reducing the weight of moving parts
3Power
If traditional winch drive systems are used, then torque transmission is achieved, but the system requires complex lubrication and cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex lubrication and cooling systems by removing the gear trains and intermediate transmission elements that generate heat and require lubrication. The direct-drive configuration minimizes friction points and heat generation, thereby simplifying or eliminating the need for separate lubrication and cooling subsystems
4Volume of moving object
If compact drive systems are used, then device size is reduced, but torque balancing over the drive shaft becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all torque transmission functions into a single direct-drive shaft connection, the patent achieves both compact size and inherent torque balance. The direct coupling eliminates torque fluctuations and imbalances that can occur in multi-shaft gear-driven systems, as there is only one rotational path from motor to drum, ensuring smooth and balanced torque transmission throughout the compact drive system
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 results in a compact, lightweight, and low-maintenance drive system that achieves balanced torque and efficient speed conversion, reducing the need for complex lubrication and cooling systems, while enabling high power transmission with lower weight and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The secondary shafts are in rotational connection with the large belt pulley via at least one belt/chain
Implementation Method 2
enabling high power transmission with lower weight and cost
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive device for a winch (8) comprising a large belt pulley (1) or chain pulley, a winch drum which is connected to the large belt pulley (1). The large belt pulley (1) is rotatably connected to at least one prime mover such as a motor (7). The device has at least two rotatable secondary shafts (4, 4'), each being parallel to the rotational axis of said belt pulley (1). The secondary shafts (4, 4') are in rotational connection with the large belt pulley (1) via at least one belt/chain. The motor is in rotational connection with one of the secondary shafts. Drive devices according to the same principles for a floating vessel propeller, a hydro turbine and a wave power plant are also described.