Cable Winch Frame Articulation for Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable winches experience vibration and noise issues due to misalignment of components, long transmission shafts leading to torsional vibratory regimes, and motor weight-induced misalignment, which can result in critical speeds and noise pollution non-compliance.
Innovation Solution
A cable winch design featuring a frame with two interconnected frame elements through an articulation system providing multiple degrees of freedom to compensate for misalignments, eliminating long transmission shafts and balancing the motor's weight, with an elastomeric coupling for rotational torque transmission and ball joints for axial alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-piece frame with two fixed bearings is used to support the cable drum and motorized system, then structural simplicity is achieved, but component misalignment and vibrations occur due to manufacturing defects or frame deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into two separate frame elements (first frame element and second frame element) that are coupled by an articulation system. This segmentation allows each element to be independently positioned and adjusted, eliminating the misalignment problems inherent in a single-piece rigid frame while maintaining structural support functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation system provides rotational degrees of freedom, transforming the static rigid connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the frame elements to adapt their relative positions dynamically, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and frame deformation during operation, thereby maintaining reliable transmission alignment.
2Ease of operation
If a long drive shaft is used to connect the motor and gearbox positioned between two fixed bearings, then the motorized system can be supported by the chassis bearings, but torsional vibrations and noise increase due to the shaft's length and reduced stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized system is separated from the chassis bearings, with the motor carried by the second frame element rather than being supported by the chassis. This eliminates the need for a long drive shaft extending between chassis bearings, thereby reducing torsional vibrations and noise while maintaining proper motor support through the articulation system.
3Weight of moving object
If the motor is mounted in cantilever on a fixed bearing to balance weight, then weight distribution is improved, but misalignment increases because the motor pushes the bearings apart under its own weight
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation system's rotational degrees of freedom allow the second frame element carrying the motor to adjust its position dynamically. This compensates for the bearing separation caused by motor weight, maintaining alignment precision without requiring the motor to be mounted in cantilever on fixed bearings.
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
This design significantly reduces vibrations and noise by allowing for dynamic compensation of misalignments, enhancing operational stability and compliance with noise regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission assembly comprising an elastomeric coupling
Implementation Method 2
ball joints for axial alignment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Cable winch (1) comprising a frame (2) on which a cable drum (3) is rotatably mounted about a main axis (Y), a motorized system (4) carried by said frame, comprising a motor (40) rotating a motor shaft (41), and comprising a reducer (43) provided with a reduction shaft (44) rotationally coupled to said motor shaft and an output flange (46) rotationally fixed to said cable drum, wherein the frame comprises a first frame element (5) and a second frame element (6) coupled by a joint system (7) having several degrees of freedom, including at least one degree of freedom in translation about the main axis and at least one degree of freedom in rotation about a secondary axis (X; Z) orthogonal to the main axis, and the cable drum is interposed between the first frame element and the second frame element.