Winder Housing Segmentation for Strap Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winder systems for straps or cords used in window shutters are prone to malfunctions and accidents due to direct accessibility of spring winding devices, flanges, and pins when the case is opened, and unauthorized handling can occur, leading to potential dismantling and mishandling.
Innovation Solution
A winder design featuring a housing with a movable and non-moving element, where the non-moving element is fixed to the second part, creating an inaccessible zone for the spring-loaded winding device, preventing its removal and ensuring the pin and flange remain inside, while allowing secure access for maintenance by securing the movable element with lugs and hinges, and using a locking piece to release the winding force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the case is opened to allow access for maintenance operations, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but critical components such as the spring winding device, flange, and pin become directly accessible and liable to be dismantled or mishandled
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first part and a second part that can be separated from each other. The first part contains movable and non-moving elements, while the second part contains the spring winding device and guiding system. This segmentation allows the case to be opened for maintenance while keeping critical components secure in the second part.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring winding device and guiding system are nested within the second part of the housing, which itself is contained within the overall housing structure. This nested arrangement ensures that even when the case is opened, the critical components remain enclosed and protected within the second part.
2Ease of operation
If the spring winding device is made accessible for maintenance, then strap replacement is facilitated, but the spring may be projected outside the housing causing accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment part for the strap is extracted and placed in the movable element of the first part, allowing strap replacement without exposing the spring winding device. The spring remains confined in the second part while the attachment functionality is made accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable element acts as an intermediary between the user and the internal components. It provides access to the attachment part for strap replacement while preventing direct access to the spring winding device, thus mediating between maintenance needs and safety requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the case structure is simplified to improve manufacturing, then production cost is reduced, but unauthorized access and mishandling become more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into two parts that can be secured together with simple connecting elements. This segmentation provides security against unauthorized access while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of basic joining mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The first part of the housing includes a movable element that can change position between closed and open states. This dynamic feature allows the housing to adapt between secure closed state and maintenance open state, providing security while remaining manufacturable.
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
Prevents dismantling of critical components, avoids malfunctions, and ensures secure handling by keeping the spring-loaded winding device and guiding elements within the housing, allowing safe and controlled access for maintenance and strap replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a device for winding the spring of the strap or the cord
Implementation Method 2
the clamps exerting an elastic force on the lugs
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
This winder (1) for webbing, cord, or the like comprises a housing enclosing a spring-loaded winding device (5) for the webbing or cord, and a guiding and braking system for the webbing or cord. The housing comprises a first (3a) and a second (3b) part joined together around a median plane of the winder (1), and the winding device (5) includes a strap or cord attachment piece (50). The first part (3a) of the housing includes a movable element (3a1) between a closed position, in which no access is possible to the inside of the housing, and an open position, providing access to an area (Z1) of the housing in which the attachment piece (50) is located.The first part (3a) of the housing comprising the movable element (3a1) also includes a non-movable element (3a2) fixed in a non-removable manner to the second part (3b) of the housing and forming an inaccessible area of the housing in which the guide system is located and in which the spring winding device (5) is held in such a way that its central axis (X5) is immobile in the median plane of the winder (1) and that the spring winding device (5) cannot come out of the housing (3).