Vehicle Winding Assembly Spring Hub Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winding assemblies for vehicles are complex, heavy, and expensive due to numerous components and difficult assembly operations, leading to potential jamming and noise issues from dimensional errors.
Innovation Solution
A simplified winding assembly with two side heads, an intermediate winding drum, and a return spring that extends cantilever-style from a hub into the drum, reducing the number of components and facilitating easier assembly through self-supporting spring design and direct hub connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional return spring devices with supporting shafts are used, then functional efficiency and reliability are ensured, but device complexity, weight, and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the supporting shaft function and return spring function into a single integrated component. The return spring directly extends from the hub into the winding drum, eliminating the need for a separate supporting shaft. This merging reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining the structural support and rotational functionality required for reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the rotational force for rewinding the web, supports the winding drum, and acts as a structural connection element between the hub and drum. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated supporting shafts while maintaining all necessary mechanical functions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional supporting shafts with multiple connections are used, then rotational support is provided, but assembly difficulty and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting shaft is merged with the return spring into a single component. The spring's helical structure inherently provides rotational stability while its ends are directly connected to the hub and winding drum, eliminating the need for separate connection operations. This reduces assembly difficulty while maintaining rotational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring's helical structure self-generates the necessary rotational stability and mechanical connection. The spring's geometry inherently provides the support function without requiring additional connecting elements or precision alignment features that would complicate manufacturing and assembly.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used, then functional completeness is achieved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the supporting shaft and return spring into a single integrated component. This eliminates the weight of the separate shaft while the spring's material is optimized to provide both support and rotational force. The reduction in component count directly reduces total assembly weight while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring is designed to perform multiple functions with a single component structure, eliminating the need for separate supporting shafts and connection elements. This multi-functionality reduces the total material required and thus the overall weight, while ensuring all functional requirements are met.
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 lighter, cost-effective, and reliable winding assembly with reduced assembly complexity and noise, ensuring efficient web unwinding and rewinding operations.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring interposed between one of the side heads and the winding drum for rotating the drum in the winding direction of the web
Implementation Method 2
A torsion spring is wound on the supporting shaft, which spring has one end integrally connected to the supporting shaft and an opposite end integrally connected to the winding drum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A winding assembly (1) for vehicles comprises two side connecting and supporting heads (3) (4) adapted to be firmly connected to respective supporting elements; a winding drum (5) extending between the side heads (3)(4) and adapted to carry a flexible web (6) connected thereto and wound thereon; a pair of hubs (10)(11) firmly connected to the opposite axial ends of the winding drum (5) and coupled to the side heads (3)(4) so as to rotate about a hinging axis (8); and a return spring (20), which extends so as to protrude from one (10) of the hubs and into the winding drum (5) for rotating the winding drum (5) itself in a winding direction of the web (6).