Wire Strainer Drum and Gripper for Precise Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire strainers often cause damage to wires by removing galvanizing and creating stress points, and they can result in under or over straining due to mechanical limitations, making them inefficient and difficult to use, especially when handling different wire sizes or types.
Innovation Solution
A wire strainer with a drive mechanism featuring a rotating drum and line member that provides a mechanical advantage, including locking positions for precise tension control, and a gripping system with biasing means to securely attach to wires without causing damage, allowing for efficient straining of various wire sizes and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional grippers are used to grip the wire, then the wire can be securely held during straining, but the galvanizing is removed and stress points are created causing wire damage
Solution Approach 1:
A protective tube or sleeve is introduced as an intermediary element between the gripper jaws and the wire. This protective covering allows the gripper to hold the wire securely while preventing direct contact that would remove galvanizing or create stress points, thus resolving the contradiction between grip security and wire damage prevention
2Device complexity
If chain grippers are arranged to grip links in the same plane, then the mechanism is simple, but the minimum movement is restricted to at least two links causing under or over straining
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper mechanism is made dynamic by allowing the gripper arms to move independently in different planes rather than being fixed in a single plane. This dynamic arrangement enables continuous adjustment of the gripping position along the chain, providing fine control over the strain applied and eliminating the restriction to discrete two-link movements
3Strength
If the fixed gripper includes two jaw members that tighten on the wire as strain increases, then the grip strength increases, but it becomes difficult to open and close the jaws in the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper system uses self-service mechanisms where the wire itself assists in opening and closing the jaws. By positioning the wire at a specific angle or using the wire tension to actuate a linkage, the system automatically opens and closes the jaws at the desired positions without requiring the operator to manually manipulate the jaw mechanism, thus maintaining high grip strength while improving ease of operation
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 enables reliable and efficient wire straining with reduced risk of damage, precise tension control, and ease of operation, allowing for effective use in rural fencing and other applications without overstraining or understraining.
Implementation Method 1
The two grippers are biased to the gripping position by a spring member connected thereto which is typically a substantially V-shaped wire or bar spring arranged such that the free ends are biased outwards away from each other to hold the grippers in the gripping position
Implementation Method 2
drive means comprising a mounting block with a drum mounted for rotation relative thereto and actuation means connected to the drum for selectively causing the drum to rotate relative to the mounting block, and a line member operatively connected to the drum in a manner whereby rotation of the drum in one direction causes the drum to pull the line member relative to the mounting block
Data Source
AI summary
A wire strainer including a drive means having a mounting block with a drum mounted for rotation relative thereto, and an actuation means connected to the drum for selectively causing the drum to rotate relative to the mounting block. A line member is operatively connected to the drum in a manner such that rotation of the drum in one direction causes the drum to pull the line member relative to the mounting block. Locking means is operatively connected to the mounting block and adapted to selectively lock the drum against rotation in the opposite direction. Gripping means is operatively connected to the mounting block, wherein the gripping means is adapted to be releasably attached to a wire to be strained. The line member includes securing means for releasably securing the line member to a strainer post or similar anchor.