Self-tailing Winch Spring-mounted Rope Guide Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sailboat winches face challenges in reliable and safe reverse winding operations, with complex mechanisms and non-intuitive control systems posing risks of uncontrolled rope release during reverse winding.
Innovation Solution
A self-tailing winch design with spring-mounted rope guide rings and a retainer lip with asymmetric profiles, allowing consistent grip and safe rope guidance during reverse winding, and a motor-assisted reverse winding mechanism that prevents accidental rope release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rope payment is used during reverse winding, then the operator can control rope release, but the operator faces safety risks and potential loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The self-tailing arrangement automatically grips and releases the rope without operator intervention. The rope lock rings with spring bias automatically engage the rope during forward winding and release during reverse winding, eliminating the need for manual rope handling and the associated safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical rope handling system with an automated mechanical system using spring-biased rope lock rings that automatically control rope grip and release based on drum rotation direction, eliminating operator exposure to hazardous forces.
2Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used for reverse winding, then uncontrolled rope release can be prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-tailing arrangement serves multiple functions: it grips the rope during forward winding, maintains grip during idle periods, and automatically releases during reverse winding. This single multi-functional mechanism eliminates the need for separate complex reverse winding control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rope lock rings have asymmetric engagement characteristics - they grip the rope in one direction (forward winding) and release in the opposite direction (reverse winding). This asymmetric design provides automatic directional control without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
3Reliability
If spring-biased rope lock rings are used, then consistent rope grip is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring bias provides continuous force that maintains consistent rope grip pressure regardless of operational state. The spring mechanism automatically adjusts to accommodate variations in rope diameter and tension, providing reliable grip without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased rope lock rings are self-regulating - the spring force automatically maintains appropriate grip pressure without external control. The mechanism serves itself by using the spring's elastic properties to adapt to different operating conditions.
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
Enhances the reliability and safety of reverse winding operations by ensuring consistent rope guidance and preventing uncontrolled rope release, improving user safety and operational ease.
Implementation Method 1
spring-mounted rope guide rings
Implementation Method 2
retainer lip with asymmetric profiles, allowing consistent grip and safe rope guidance
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A self-tailing winch (200) for a sailboat comprises a support (206) for mounting the winch with respect to a sailboat, a winch drum (202) rotatable with respect to the support (206) about a rotational axis and a self-tailing arrangement (220) disposed axially adjacent the winch drum. The self-tailing arrangement (220) comprises a rope guide channel (248) extending circumferentially around the self-tailing assembly, the rope guide channel being defined by upper (244) and lower (246) rope guide rings, the upper and lower rope guide rings being rotatable with the drum (202) and adapted to grip rope in the rope guide channel. A feeder arm (242) guides rope between the drum and the rope guide channel, the feeder arm being fixed with respect to the support. A retainer guide (260) guides rope between the rope guide channel and an unloaded end of the rope. The drum is rotatable with respect to the retainer guide and the retainer guide is spring mounted to allow movement of the retainer guide in a direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the winch drum. The retainer guide has a retainer lip (262) extending partially circumferentially around the self-tailing assembly to at least partially enclose a portion of the rope guide channel (248). The retainer guide further defines at least one side of an opening (272) adjacent the retainer lip, the opening being sized to conduct rope through the opening during reverse winding of the winch, the rope thereby being retained in the rope guide channel (248) by the retainer lip (262).