Wire Gripping Mechanism for Wide-Angle Suspension Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices are limited by a maximum vertical angle of 60 degrees for the suspension wire, leading to reduced load capacity and failure when wires are positioned at wider angles, restricting their use in areas with limited suspension height.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with at least two end walls and an elongate channel, featuring a pinion wheel and biasing means, allowing for translational movement and engagement with the wire at an acute angle, enabling secure grip at angles greater than 60 degrees through a combination of channel design and pinion wheel mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suspension wire is positioned at an angle greater than 60 degrees to the vertical, then the device can be used in areas with limited suspension height, but the internal strain causes the wire to be pulled away from the gear wheel and the top plate to be ripped away from the body, causing device failure
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent components: the body with integrated channel, the top plate as a separate attachable component, and the gear wheel as a distinct gripping element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing stress concentration points.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire passage is changed from a top-down configuration (requiring top plate closure) to a longitudinal configuration through the body with end wall holes. This dimensional change eliminates the need for top plate attachment and allows wires to pass through the length of the device, accommodating wider angles without compromising structural integrity.
2Length of moving object
If the suspension wire vertical angle is increased, then closer positioning is achieved, but the load capacity is reduced by up to 50% at 60 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The channel wall opposing the gripping element features a concave curved surface instead of a straight edge. This curvature distributes the contact stress more evenly across the wire-gripping element interface, reducing stress concentration and enabling the device to maintain gripping effectiveness at wider angles where straight-walled designs would fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters of the channel, specifically introducing a concave angle between 160 to 179 degrees at the wire contact surface. This parameter modification optimizes the force distribution and friction characteristics, allowing the gripping mechanism to maintain adequate holding force even when the wire exits at angles greater than 60 degrees to the vertical.
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
Enables secure suspension of objects at larger angles, allowing for closer positioning in space-constrained areas without component failure, thereby enhancing the device's versatility and load-bearing capacity.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means for bringing the gripping element into engagement with an elongate element located in the said channel
Implementation Method 2
wherein a force component exerted on an elongate element located in the said channel causes the gripping element to move in the slot towards the elongate element
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A gripping device comprises: at least two end walls located at opposing ends of the device; at least one elongate channel for receiving an elongate element, the longitudinal axis of the or each channel extending between the two end walls; a gripping element; and biasing means for bringing the gripping element into engagement with an elongate element located in the said channel. The gripping element is mounted for translational movement in a slot. A force component exerted on an elongate element located in the said channel causes the gripping element to move in the slot at towards the elongate element. Each end wall includes at least one hole therethrough, a first hole for receipt of an elongate element into the said channel and a second hole for exit of said elongate element from said channel.