NL2020136B1

NL2020136B1 - Winch cable guide, winch comprising said winch cable guide and method for operating the same

Info

Publication number: NL2020136B1
Application number: NL2020136A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Van Hoef Gerrit
Original assignee: Hoeflon B V
Priority date: 2017-12-20
Filing date: 2017-12-20
Publication date: 2019-06-26

Abstract

The invention relates to a winch cable guide for guiding a cable over a plurality of turns around a drum of a winch, wherein the winch cable guide comprises a pressing roller that in the axial direction has a first end, a 5 second. end. opposite to the first end. and. a roller body extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the roller‘ body has a first end. diameter, a second. end diameter and a center diameter smaller than the first end diameter and the second end diameter, wherein the roller 10 body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter. The invention further relates to a winch comprising said winch cable guide and a method for operating the same.

Description

NLP202443A

Winch cable guide, winch comprising said winch cable guide and method for operating the same

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a winch cable guide, a winch comprising said winch cable guide and a method for operating the same.

When paying out or hauling in a wire or a cable with respect to a winch, care must be taken to efficiently wind or unwind the subsequent turns, one directly adjacent to the other, while preventing that the turns slack, bunch up, get tangled or otherwise get disorganized. EP 3 103 748 Al discloses a winch assembly comprising a spool and a press roller. As the wire contacts the spool, the wire may pass between the roller and the spool (or a previous layer of wire) such that the roller may guide the placement of the wire in the correct position on the spool (or previous layer of wire) . The press roller is mounted on a press roller spring frame that produces a spring force to keep the roller against the object applying a compressive force. This known press roller is effective in preventing the wire from becoming tangled, snarled, jumbled, or otherwise disorganized on the spool. US 3,150,861 A discloses a winch cable guide comprising a reel and a cable guiding means. The cable guiding means includes a cable turn biasing means which is in the form of an elongated, flexible, rod-like, generally straight, cable turn-engaging spring element extending in the longitudinal direction of the reel between the end flanges thereof. A pair of longitudinally-spaced, transversely-extending, spring-biasing support arms support the cable turn-engaging spring element with one end of each arm mounted to one end of the spring element. As each turn is laid down, the cable turn-engaging, longitudinal spring element is kept snugly biased against it and the preceding turns by the biasing spring arms. While the left end of the cable turn-engaging spring element is snugged down over the cable turns its right end is bowed to contact the core barrel and, as a consequence, the last laid-down turn of the cable, as it is being laid down, is not only snugged in radially toward the axis of the reel but also laterally back toward the next preceding cable turn which had been previously laid down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A disadvantage of the press roller known from EP 3 103 748 Al is that it merely presses down on the wire in the radial direction of the spool. The cable turn-engaging spring element of US 3,150,861 A provides an improvement over the known press roller in that it presses on the cable both radially and laterally. However, unlike the press roller, the cable turn-engaging spring element is unable to rotate and thus causes wear on the cable, which could ultimately result in failure of the cable. Moreover, the friction between the cable turn-engaging spring element and the cable could cause slip between the cable and the reel, thereby undermining the guiding effectiveness of the cable guiding means. Finally, it is observed that in US 3,150,861 A, the cable turn-engaging spring element is particularly effective in providing a lateral force on the early turns of a new layer. However, as the layer progresses, the cable turn-engaging spring element is supported into an increasingly parallel orientation to the rotation axis of the reel, thus reducing the lateral guiding effectiveness.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a winch cable guide, a winch comprising said winch cable guide and a method for operating the same, wherein the guiding of the cable can be improved.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a winch cable guide for guiding a cable over a plurality of turns around a drum of a winch, wherein the winch cable guide comprises a pressing roller that is rotatable with respect to the drum about a roller axis that extends in an axial direction, wherein the pressing roller in the axial direction has a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and a roller body extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the roller body has a first end diameter at the first end, a second end diameter at the second end and a center diameter in a center area between the first end and the second end, wherein the center diameter is smaller than the first end diameter and the second end diameter and wherein the roller body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter.

When the winch is paying out or hauling in the cable, the pressing roller is arranged to walk over the layers of turns to exert a pressing force onto the outgoing or incoming turn of the cable at the drum. Said pressing force is exerted in a direction normal to the roller body at the position of the contact between the pressing roller and the incoming or outgoing turn. Unlike the straight press roller of EP 3 103 748 Al, the tapering roller body according to the present invention promotes that for most turns, the pressing force is exerted onto the respective turn at a non-perpendicular angle, i.e. at an oblique angle, to the rotation axis of the drum. Hence, for most turns said pressing force at least has a component in a lateral direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum. The lateral component can force the incoming or outgoing turn to closely abut the directly adjacent turn of the same layer, thus efficiently winding or unwinding the cable with respect to the drum. Meanwhile, the pressing roller is rotatable to minimize wear of the cable and/or slip between the cable and the drum.

In a preferred embodiment the roller body gradually tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter. The gradual tapering can prevent sudden changes in the interaction between the pressing roller and the turns of the cable.

In a further embodiment the roller body linearly tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter. Because of the linear tapering, the roller body can contact any turn at any position along the linear tapering in substantially the same way.

In a further embodiment the roller body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter at a taper angle in the range of one to three degrees with respect to the axial direction. Preferably, the taper angle is in the range of two to three degrees with respect to the axial direction. Said taper angle is chosen such that the roller body tapers sufficiently at any position along the roller body to exert at least a laterally directed pressing force component on the respective turns.

In another embodiment the difference between the radius of the center diameter and the radius of the first end diameter and/or the second end diameter is in the range of three to six millimeters. Said difference is smaller than the typical cable diameter and can therefore ensure that when the roller body is offset or tilted at one end over distance equal to the cable diameter, the roller body at the opposite end still tapers at an oblique angle with respect to the rotation axis of the drum.

In a further embodiment the first end diameter and the second end diameter are equal or substantially equal. Hence, the roller body can have substantially the same size at both ends.

In a further embodiment the roller body is symmetrical with respect to a center plane at the center between the first end and the second end. Consequently, the interaction of the roller body with the turns is the same for each symmetrical side of the roller body.

Preferably, the roller body tapers from the first end and the second end up to the center plane. Hence, the roller body tapers from opposite ends up to the center plane and can thus exert a laterally directed pressing force component onto the turns up to the center plane. Preferably, the two symmetrically tapering halves of the roller body meet each other at the center plane to form a V-shaped connection.

In another embodiment the roller body has a closed and/or continuous circumferential pressing surface extending in the axial direction from the first end to the second end. Hence, the pressing surface can consistently pressing any turn along the roller body.

In a further embodiment the roller body is rigid or substantially rigid. By providing a rigid roller body, the interaction between the roller body and the turns can be very predictable, i.e. not subject to deformations of the roller body as a result of the pressing force.

In a further embodiment the winch comprises a base that defines a rotation axis for the drum, wherein the winch cable guide comprises a holder that is connectable to the base for holding the pressing roller in a neutral position with respect to the base in which the roller axis is parallel to the rotation axis, wherein the holder is movable in a pressing direction perpendicular to the roller axis towards the drum, wherein pressing roller is tiltable from the neutral position into a first tilted position and a second tilted position opposite to the first tilted position about a tilt axis perpendicular to the roller axis and the pressing direction. By tilting the pressing roller, the roller body can adapt its orientation in accordance with the width of the layer on the drum. Consequently, the roller body can be kept in close contact with the incoming or outgoing turn, irrespective of the number of turns adjacent to the incoming or outgoing turn within the same layer .

Preferably, the roller body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter at a taper angle, wherein the tilting of the pressing roller from the neutral position to the first tilted position and the second tilted position is limited to a tilt angle that is smaller than the taper angle. Again, this ensures that when the roller body is tilted at said maximum tilt angle, the roller body at the end closest to the drum still tapers at an oblique angle with respect to the rotation axis of the drum.

In a preferred embodiment of the previous embodiment the winch cable guide further comprises at least one biasing element for biasing the holder with respect to the base in the pressing direction towards the drum. By pressing the holder, and consequently the roller body supported thereon, the roller body can be brought into abutting contact with the turns, thereby keeping the turns in their respective positions on the drum.

In a further embodiment thereof the holder comprises a first arm for holding the pressing roller at the first end and a second arm for holding the pressing roller at the second end, wherein the at least one biasing element comprises a first biasing element and a second biasing element for individually biasing the first arm and the second arm, respectively, in the pressing direction towards the drum. By individually biasing the arms, the pressing roller can be tilted over the previously discussed tilt angle to automatically adapt its orientation to the number of turns on the drum.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a winch comprising the winch cable guide according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments. Said winch includes the aforementioned winch cable guide and thus has the same technical advantages.

In a preferred embodiment the winch further comprises a cable with a cable diameter, wherein the difference between the radius of the center diameter and the radius of the first end diameter and/or the second end diameter is equal to or smaller than the cable diameter. Again, this can ensure that when the roller body is offset or tilted at one end over distance equal to the cable diameter, the roller body at the opposite end still tapers at an oblique angle with respect to the rotation axis of the drum.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method for guiding a cable over a plurality of turns around a drum of a winch with the use of a winch cable guide according to any one of the previously discussed embodiments, wherein the method comprises the step of using the pressing roller to press one turn of the cable onto the drum by exerting a pressing force onto said one turn, wherein said pressing force is exerted in a direction normal to the tapering of the roller body at the position of said one turn. The method relates to the practical implementation and/or operation of the previously discussed winch cable guide and thus has the same technical advantages. In particular, the pressing force resulting from the tapering roller body has a first component in a radial direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the drum and a second component extending in a lateral direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum.

In a further embodiment of the method, the pressing roller is movable in a pressing direction perpendicular to the roller axis towards the drum, wherein pressing roller is tiltable from the neutral position into a first tilted position and a second tilted position opposite to the first tilted position about a tilt axis perpendicular to the roller axis and the pressing direction, wherein the roller body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter at a taper angle, wherein the method comprises the step of limiting the tilting of the pressing roller from the neutral position to the first tilted position and the second tilted position to a tilt angle that is smaller than the taper angle. Again, this ensures that when the roller body is tilted at said maximum tilt angle, the roller body at the end closest to the drum still tapers at an oblique angle with respect to the rotation axis of the drum.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which: figure 1 shows an isometric view of a winch comprising a drum and a winch cable guide according to the invention; figure 2 shows a top view of the winch according to figure 1; figure 3 shows a side view of the winch according to figure 1; figure 4 shows a perspective view of the winch cable guide according to figure 1; and figures 5A-5E show the winch cable guide in operation during the steps of a method for guiding the cable over a plurality of turns around the drum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1-3 show a winch 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The winch 1 comprises a base 2 for receiving a spool, reel or drum 3 with a cable 9. The drum 3 has a drum axis (not shown) . The base 2 defines a rotation axis S and is arranged for receiving the drum 3 with its drum axis aligned and/or collinear with the rotation axis S, so that the drum 3 is rotatable with respect to the base 2 about said rotation axis S. In this exemplary embodiment, the base 2 is positioned such that the rotation axis S extends horizontally.

The winch 1 comprises a winch drive 4 for driving the rotation of the drum 3 about the rotation axis S. The drum 3 can be rotated in opposite directions to either pay out or haul in the cable 9. When paying out or hauling in the cable 9, care should be taken to efficiently wind or unwind the cable 9 in subsequent turns 90, one directly adjacent to the other, around the drum 3. To that effect, the winch 1 is provided with a winch cable guide 5 and a holder 6 for holding or supporting the winch cable guide 5, as shown in figures 1~3, relative to the drum 3.

Figure 4 shows the winch cable guide 5 in isolation. The winch cable guide 5 comprises a pressing roller 6 and a holder 7 for supporting the pressing roller 6 relative to the drum 3, as shown in figure 1. The pressing roller 6 is rotatable with respect to the holder 7 about a roller axis R that extends in an axial direction X. The rotation of the pressing roller 6 can minimize wear of the cable 9 and/or slip between the cable 9 and the drum 3 during winding and unwinding.

As shown in figure 4, the pressing roller 60 in the axial direction X has a first end 61, a second end 62 opposite to the first end 61 and a roller body 63 extending between the first end 61 and the second end 62. The roller body 63 defines a circumferential pressing surface 64 extending circumferentially and/or concentrically to the roller axis R. The pressing surface 64 is preferably substantially continuous or closed from the first end 61 up to the second end 62 to consistently press on the turns 9. Preferably, the roller body 63 as a whole is rigid or substantially rigid. The roller body 63 may even be manufactured as a single, solid part. The roller body 63 has a first end diameter DI at the first end 61, a second end diameter D2 at the second end 62 and a center diameter D3 in a center area M between the first end 61 and the second end 62. The center diameter D3 is smaller than the first end diameter Dl and the second end diameter D2. As a result, the roller body 63 tapers from the first end diameter Dl and the second end diameter D2 to the center diameter D3. In this example, the roller body 63 tapers linearly, i.e. at a constant angle, towards the center diameter Dl . Alternatively, the tapering may be gradual, i.e. not necessarily linear yet without abrupt changes in its direction. The tapering may for example be slightly concave .

As best seen in figure 2, the roller body tapers from the first end diameter Dl and the second end diameter D2 to the center diameter D3 at a taper angle A. Said taper angle A is chosen in the range of one to three degrees, and preferably in the range of two to three degrees, with respect to the axial direction X. Preferably, the taper angle A is chosen such that the difference B between the radius of the center diameter D3 and the radius of the first end diameter Dl and/or the second end diameter D2 is less than the diameter C of the cable 9. A typical cable 9 may have a diameter C of approximately six millimeters. Hence, the difference B is typically chosen in a range between three to six millimeters.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first end diameter Dl and the second end diameter D2 are equal or substantially equal. More in particular, the roller body 63 of this example is symmetrical with respect to a center plane P at the center between the first end 61 and the second end 62. Hence, the interaction between the roller body 63 and the turns 90 of the cable 9 is the same for each symmetrical half of the roller body 63. The roller body 63 tapers from the first end 61 and the second end 62 up to the center plane P, thereby creating a V-shaped transition or connection between the two tapering halves of the roller body 63.

As best seen in figure 1, the holder 7 is connectable to the base 2. In particular, the holder 7 is coupled to the base 2 so as to be rotatable about a holder axis H that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis S. The holder 7, and the pressing roller 6 supported thereon, are rotatable about said holder axis H towards and away from the drum 3 in a pressing direction G perpendicular to the roller axis R and/or the rotation axis S. In this exemplary embodiment, the holder 7 comprises a first arm 71 for holding the pressing roller 6 at the first end 61 and a second arm 72 for holding the pressing roller 6 at the second end 62. The winch cable guide 5 further comprises at least one, and in this particular case two biasing elements 81, 82 for individually biasing the first arm 71 and the second arm 72, respectively, in the pressing direction G towards the drum 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the biasing elements 81, 82 are embodied by springs. Alternatively, any resilient or actively-driven biasing element may be used to force the holder 7 in the pressing direction G towards the drum 3.

As best seen in figure 2, the holder 7 is arranged for initially holding the pressing roller 6 in a neutral position with respect to the drum 3. In said neutral position, the roller axis R is parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis S. The pressing roller 6 is tiltable from said neutral position into a first tilted position, as shown in figure 5A, and a second tilted position, as shown in figure 5E, opposite to the first tilted position about a tilt axis T perpendicular to the roller axis R and the pressing direction G. In this particular exampling, the tilting is facilitated by the individually biased arms 71, 72 of the holder 7.

Alternatively, the holder 7 may be resiliently deformable about the tilt axis T or the pressing roller 6 may be tiltable about the tilt axis T with respect to a stationary holder 7.

When the winch 1 of figures 1-3 is paying out or hauling in the cable 9, the pressing roller 6 is arranged to walk over the layers of turns 90 to exert a pressing force F onto the outgoing or incoming turn 91 of the cable 9 at the drum 3. Figures 5A-5E show the steps of a method for guiding the cable 9 over a plurality of turns 90 around the drum 3 of the winch 1 with the use of the previously discussed winch cable guide 5. The turns 90 of the cable 9 are wound progressively onto the drum 3 in adjacent turns 90 to form a layer. Once a layer is complete, a new layer is started on top of the previous layer, as for example shown in figure 5E. When unwinding the cable 9, the steps of the method are carried out in reverse order.

The pressing force F exerted on the incoming or outgoing turn 91 of the cable 9 acts in a direction normal to the roller body 63 at the position of the contact between the pressing roller 6 and the incoming or outgoing turn 91. The tapering of the roller body 63 according to the present invention promotes that the direction of said pressing force F is non-perpendicular, i.e. oblique, with respect to the rotation axis S of the drum 3 for most of the turns 90 of the cable 9. Hence, the pressing force F has two vectors or components Fl, F2 . The first component Fl of the pressing force F acts in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis S of the drum 3, while the second component F2 acts in a lateral direction parallel to the rotation axis S of the drum 3. The second component F2 can force the incoming or outgoing turn 91 to closely abut the directly adjacent turn 90 of the same layer, thus efficiently winding or unwinding the cable 9 with respect to the drum 3.

Figures 5A and 5E, show a situation in which the pressing roller 6 is tilted into the first tilted position and the second tilted position, respectively. In both of said tilted positions, the roller body 63 is supported at one of its ends 61, 62 by a layer that consists of limited amount of turns 90 or a single turn 90 only, e.g. the first turn 90 of a new layer or the last turn of a layer that is being unwound. Hence, one of the ends 61, 62 is offset with respect to the other end 61, 62 over a distance equal to the cable diameter C. The characteristics of the tapering of the roller body 63 are chosen such that even when the roller body 63 is in one of said tilted positions, the pressing force F between the roller body 63 and the incoming or outgoing turn 91 acts in a direction that is non-perpendicular, i.e. oblique, with respect to the rotation axis S of the drum 3. In particular, as discussed previously, the difference B between the radius of the end diameters Dl, D2 and the radius of the center diameter D3 is preferably smaller than the cable diameter C. Consequently, it can be ensured the pressure force F at any turn 90, and in particular the pressing force F acting on the first or last turn 90 of a layer, is exerted in a direction in which the pressing force F at least has the second component F2 in the lateral direction parallel to the rotation axis S of the drum 3.

Accordingly, the winch 1 according to the present invention has the advantage that every turn 90 of the cable 9 around the drum 3 can be reliably forced against a previous turn 90 of the cable 9 within the same layer to efficiently wind or unwind the cable 9 with respect to the drum 9. The rotation of the pressing roller 6 can minimize wear of the cable 9 and/or slip between the cable 9 and the drum 3. Meanwhile, the shape of the roller body 63 can be chosen such that the interaction of roller body 63 and the cable 9 is optimal for each turn 90 of the cable 9 around the drum 3.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A winch cable guide for guiding a cable over a plurality of turns around a drum of a winch, the winch cable guide comprising a pressure roller rotatable relative to the drum about a roller axis extending in axial direction, the pressure roller in a axial direction has a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a roller body extending between the first end and the second end, the roller body having a first end diameter at the first end, a second end diameter at the second end and a center diameter in a central region between the first end and the second end, the middle diameter being smaller than the first end diameter and the second end diameter and wherein the roller body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the middle diameter.

A winch cable guide according to claim 1, wherein the roller body tapers gradually from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter.

A winch cable guide as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the roller body tapers linearly from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter.

A winch cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter at a tap angle in the range of one to three degrees with respect to the axial direction.

The winch cable guide according to claim 4, wherein the approach angle is in the range of two to three degrees with respect to the axial direction.

A winch cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the difference between the radius of the center diameter and the radius of the first end diameter and / or the second end diameter is in the range of three to six millimeters.

A winch cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end diameter and the second end diameter are the same or substantially the same.

A winch cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller body is symmetrical with respect to a central plane in the middle between the first end and the second end.

The winch cable guide according to claim 8, wherein the roller body tapers from the first end and the second end to the center plane.

A winch cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller body has a closed and / or continuous peripheral pressure surface that extends in the axial direction from the first end to the second end.

A winch cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller body is rigid or substantially rigid.

A winch cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the winch comprises a base that defines an axis of rotation for the drum, the winch cable guide comprising a holder connectable to the base for holding the pressure roller in a neutral position relative to the base wherein the roller axis is parallel to the axis of rotation, the holder being movable in a pressure direction perpendicular to the roller axis toward the drum, the pressure roller being tiltable from the neutral position into a first tilt position and a second tilt position opposite the first tilt position about a tilt axis perpendicular on the roller axis and the pressure direction.

A winch cable guide according to claim 12, wherein the roll body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter at a tap angle, wherein the tilting of the pressure roll from the neutral position to the first tilt position and the second tilt position is limited to a tilt angle that smaller than the approach angle.

A winch cable guide as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the winch cable guide further comprises at least one biasing element for biasing the holder relative to the base in the printing direction towards the drum.

A winch cable guide according to claim 14, wherein the holder comprises a first arm for holding the pressure roller at the first end and a second arm for holding the pressure roller at the second end, wherein the at least one biasing element has a first biasing element and a first second biasing element comprises of individually biasing the first arm and the second arm, respectively, in the pressure direction towards the drum.

A winch comprising the winch cable guide according to any one of the preceding claims.

The winch of claim 16, wherein the winch further comprises a cable with a cable diameter, wherein the difference between the radius of the center diameter and the radius of the first end diameter and / or the second end diameter is equal to or smaller than the cable diameter.

A method of guiding a cable over a plurality of turns around a drum of a winch with the use of a winch cable guide according to any of claims 1-15, wherein the method comprises the step of using a pressure roller to provide one winding of pressing the cable onto the drum by applying a compressive force to the one winding, the compressive force being exerted in a direction perpendicular to the tapering of the rolling body at the position of the one winding.

The method of claim 18, wherein the drum is rotated about an axis of rotation, the compressive force having a first component in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum and a second component extending in a lateral direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.

A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the pressure roller is movable in a pressure direction perpendicular to the roller axis towards the drum, the pressure roller being tiltable from a neutral position in a first tilt position and a second tilt position opposite the first tilt position about a tilt axis perpendicular on the roll axis and the printing direction, wherein the roll body tapers from the first end diameter and the second end diameter to the center diameter at a tap angle, the method comprising the step of limiting the tilting of the pressure roll from the neutral position to the first tilting position and the second tilt position to a tilt angle that is smaller than the approach angle. "O ~ O" O "O" O "O" O "O"