Winch Drum Spooling Head Axial Reversal for Line Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing winch drum spooling methods for high-strength fibre ropes result in deformation and wear due to the 'biting' of upper layers into lower layers under heavy loads, leading to inefficiencies in line storage and increased wear, as the traditional method of spooling with a helical path causes gaps and instability in the layers.

Innovation Solution

A winch drum assembly where the spooling head moves axially with respect to the barrel, reversing direction at least once per revolution, and guided by grooves or formations on the barrel, to lay layers non-parallel to each other, reducing friction and interference between layers, and utilizing a programmable electronic servomotor to control the spooling head's movement for optimal line distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the spooling bar is rotated to guide the line onto the barrel surface using a helical path, then the line can be wound onto the drum, but the line deforms and squeezes between rows causing wear and trapping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespooling speedVSAvoidline stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spooling head reverses its axial movement direction at least once per revolution of the barrel, creating dynamic layer patterns that prevent line deformation and biting. This dynamic reversal mechanism adapts the spooling process to maintain optimal line distribution without causing wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spooling parameters by varying the axial position and direction of the spooling head during barrel rotation. By controlling the spooling head to move in reverse directions and by controlling the spooling head's axial position relative to the barrel, the system creates non-parallel layers that prevent line biting and deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the spooling head moves axially along the barrel to guide the line, then the line can be distributed evenly, but gaps form between rows reducing the amount of line that can be spooled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline distribution uniformityVSAvoidamount of line
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The spooling head reverses its axial movement direction at least once per revolution of the barrel, creating dynamic layer patterns that prevent line deformation and biting. This dynamic reversal mechanism adapts the spooling process to maintain optimal line distribution without causing wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces axial movement dimension to the spooling process, where the spooling head moves not only circumferentially but also axially along the barrel. This multi-dimensional approach allows the line to be wound in a compact pattern that maximizes the amount of line that can be spooled while maintaining even distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the spooling head reverses direction multiple times per revolution, then layer stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer stabilityVSAvoidspooling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spooling head reverses its axial movement direction at least once per revolution of the barrel, creating dynamic layer patterns that prevent line deformation and biting. This dynamic reversal mechanism adapts the spooling process to maintain optimal line distribution without causing wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the barrel rotation to control the spooling head movement. The spooling head's reversal is synchronized with the barrel's rotation, creating a coordinated mechanism that maintains layer stability without requiring complex independent control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2125598B9Winch drum assembly and method for spooling a line
Publication Date: 2013.01.16 DEEP TEK IP
  • EP2125598B9 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2125598B9 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2125598B9 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A winch drum (1) assembly has a barrel (b) to receive a line, and a spooling device (50) for guiding the line onto the barrel. The line is wound onto the barrel at a point that moves axially with respect to the barrel, and the orientation of the line on the barrel is adapted to change at least once per revolution of the barrel, so that radially adjacent layers (L1, L2) of line are non- parallel. Spooling gear is described for guiding the line and the barrel can have ramps and walls (34, 35) to guide the line in the different directions. Non- parallel layers of line exhibit a reduced tendency to interfere with one another, so that the spooled line comes off the barrel more consistently.