Wire Coil Hold-Down Device with Spirally Curved Connecting Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hold-down devices for wire coils are prone to failure due to their complex structure and lack of resilience, leading to uncontrolled loop formation when the wire is pulled from the coil.

Innovation Solution

A hold-down device with spirally running connecting elements between a base element and a guide element, featuring ring-shaped holding elements with different diameters and connected by holding webs, providing a resilient connection that supports the wire according to its position and prevents loop formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connecting elements are used between base element and guide element, then structural stability is improved, but ability to adapt to wire position variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to wire position
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements are designed as flexible, spirally curved components that can bend and deform to accommodate variations in wire position while maintaining structural integrity. This flexibility allows the guide element to adapt to different wire positions without compromising the overall structural stability of the hold-down device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements transition from rigid to dynamic/flexible components that can change their configuration based on wire position. The spiral shape provides inherent flexibility while maintaining structural coherence, enabling the device to dynamically adapt to operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If complex hold-down devices with rotatable wire guides are used, then wire guidance capability is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire guidance capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the complex rotatable wire guide mechanism and bearing components from the system. Instead, it uses a simplified structure with a guide element positioned above the base element, connected by flexible connecting elements, which achieves wire guidance without the complexity and reliability issues of rotating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using an active rotatable guide that moves to follow the wire, the invention uses a passive flexible connection that naturally adapts to wire position changes. The flexibility is inverted from an active mechanical movement to a passive elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard-sized base elements are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different wire drum sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to wire drum sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base element is segmented into multiple ring-shaped retaining elements with different diameters arranged coaxially. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different wire drum sizes by selecting appropriate retaining elements while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 device effectively prevents uncontrolled loop formation and adapts to various wire barrel sizes, ensuring reliable wire guidance and interception, enhancing the hold-down mechanism's resilience and adjustability to wire properties.

Implementation Method 1

By having the at least one connecting element – between the base element and the guide element – extend along a spirally curved path between the base element and the guide element, it is advantageously achieved that there is a resilient, rather than a rigid, connection between the base element and the guide element. This resilient connection ensures that the wire unwinding from the wire coil is resiliently supported by the guide element according to its current position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3372543B1Retaining device for coils of wire in wire barrels
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 WDI WESTFALISCHE DRAHTIND GMBH WERK ROTHENBURG
  • EP3372543B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3372543B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a hold-down device (10) for wire coils (32) that can be inserted into wire drums (30) with a base element (12), a guide element (24) arranged above the base element (12) for wire (34) exiting the wire coil (32) and at least one connecting element (28) between the base element (12) and the guide element (24). It is provided that the at least one connecting element (28) runs along a spirally curved path between the base element (12) and the guide element (24), and that the base element (12) has at least two ring-shaped retaining elements (14, 16, 18) for the connecting elements (28), which are arranged coaxially to each other, the ring-shaped retaining elements (14, 16, 18) have different diameters, and the retaining element (14) with the largest diameter has a greater distance to the guide element (24) than the respective adjacent retaining element (16, 18) with a smaller diameter.