Wire Guide Module With Rollers For Direction Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire guide modules in wire dispensing systems face challenges in changing the direction of wire without significantly increasing drag, which can lead to friction and potential damage to the wire.

Innovation Solution

A wire guide module with a housing and inner passageway that includes rollers mounted on both sides of the passageway, allowing the wire to change direction while minimizing drag through the use of arcuate-shaped passageways and rotatable rollers, enabling easy connection and orientation of modules to form various shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wire direction is changed in a wire dispensing system, then the wire can be guided to the desired location, but the drag on the wire increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire direction controlVSAvoiddrag on wire
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs arcuate-shaped passageways instead of sharp corners to guide wire turns. This curved geometry allows the wire to change direction gradually, reducing friction and drag while maintaining effective wire guidance to the desired location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces rollers as intermediary elements within the passageway that contact the wire during direction changes. These rollers reduce direct friction between the wire and the housing walls, significantly decreasing drag while still enabling effective wire routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wire guide modules are connected to form complex shapes, then the wire can be routed flexibly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire path configurationVSAvoidmodule connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs wire guide modules with standardized male and female ends that can be connected in various orientations and configurations. This universal interface allows the same basic module to be assembled into different wire path configurations without requiring multiple specialized components, maintaining flexibility while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the wire guiding function into separate, modular sections that can be independently configured and connected. This segmentation allows complex wire paths to be built from simpler standardized units, making the system adaptable while managing overall device complexity through modular assembly.

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 solution allows for efficient direction changes in wire dispensing systems without excessive drag, maintaining wire integrity and flexibility, and can be easily integrated into various orientations and configurations.

Implementation Method 1

The rollers are mounted in roller chambers in the housing and freely rotate in the roller chambers. The rollers extend into the inner passageway... the wire contacts the rollers which rotates the rollers to reduce the drag on the wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling contact: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2990152B1Wire guide module with a housing and rollers ; method of guiding a wire and a wire dispensing system with such module
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 ELCO ENTERPRISES INC
  • EP2990152B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1B
  • EP2990152B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2990152B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a wire guide module for guiding and changing the direction of wire in a wire dispensing system. The wire guide module having an inner passageway with rollers. The rollers adjacent the inner passageway assist the wire in moving smoothly through the wire guide module as the shape of the inner passageway changing the direction of movement of the wire. It is also describing a wire dispensing system having wire guide modules with rollers which change the direction of the wire while reducing damage to the wire.