FR3048239A1 - EASILY WINDING WINCH - Google Patents

Abstract

Winch comprising a fixed frame (1), a drum (2) for winding and unwinding a cable, and means (4) for driving the drum in rotation, characterized in that a member (6) for cable guide is fixedly mounted on the frame (1), in that the drum (2) is mounted on a support (9) to rotate about a horizontal axis, and that the support is mounted on the frame ( 1) to move freely so as to keep substantially constant the length (1) of cable extending between the guide member (6) and the drum (2).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of traction or hoisting load, and more particularly a winch.

STATE OF THE ART

A winch generally comprises a frame having two fixed flanges between which is mounted to rotate a drum winding and unwinding a cable. The drum is integral with a shaft connected to means for driving it in rotation, such as a motor or a crank.

It is important that the cable is properly wrapped around the drum, that is, in regular layers and superimposed over the entire length of the drum. Indeed, inadvertent overlaps of the cable lead to greater wear thereof and increases the torque to be provided due to the greater distance existing at the overlap between the point from which the cable wraps around the drum and the axis of the drum.

The correct winding depends on the maximum angle between the median plane of the drum (perpendicular to the central axis of the drum) and the rectilinear part of the cable extending between the drum and its first point of return. It has been empirically determined that this angle must be less than a few degrees. This assumes that the first point of return in question is several meters from the winch for a winch having a drum having a length of a few tens of centimeters. However, in practice, it is extremely difficult to respect this condition of good winding.

To remedy this problem, it is known to add to the frame of the winch a cable guide member forming a first point of return and to provide means for moving the guide member parallel to the drum in synchronization with the rotation of the drum so that the maximum angle existing between the median plane of the drum and the rectilinear portion of the cable extending between the drum and the guide member is substantially zero.

The synchronization of the displacement of the guide member with the rotation of the drum is however difficult to achieve in practice.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a simple means to facilitate a smooth winding of the cable in a winch.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, according to the invention, there is provided a winch comprising a fixed frame, a drum for winding and unwinding a cable, and driving means, in rotation of the drum. A guide member of the cable is fixedly mounted on the frame. The drum is mounted on a support for rotation about a horizontal axis and the support is mounted on the frame to move freely so as to keep substantially constant the length of cable extending between the guide member and the drum.

When winding or unwinding the cable, the rectilinear portion of the cable extending between the drum and the guide member tends to move along the drum. Except in the case where this rectilinear portion is in the median plane of the drum, the force exerted by the cable on the drum pulls one end or the other of the drum, which will spontaneously cause the movement of the support until the rectilinear portion extends in the median plane of the drum. Thus, the angle between the rectilinear portion of the cable and the median plane of the drum tends to be continuously reduced to zero by the displacement of the drum.

Advantageously, the support is mounted on the frame to move freely in a horizontal plane by having a sliding bearing surface without sliding on a bearing secured to the frame, the surface of the support and the bearing having conjugate shapes so that the length cable extending between the drum and the guide member remains constant due to the rolling of the bearing surface on the scope.

Thus, the force exerted by the cable on the drum pulls one end or the other of the drum and causes spontaneous rolling of the support surface of the support on the integral support of the frame.

Preferably, the frame carries a toothed sector of the same diameter as the scope of the frame and coaxial thereto, and the support carries a rack meshing with the sector to ensure a lack of sliding of the bearing surface of the support on the scope of the frame.

In case of sliding of the rectilinear surface in support against the range, the positioning of the drum will not be optimal for the reduction of the angle between the rectilinear portion of the cable and the median plane of the drum. The meshing of the toothed elements eliminates any risk of slipping.

Advantageously, the frame comprises a bearing below the drum and a bearing over the drum, the rectilinear surface of the support being supported on one of the bearing surfaces and the support comprising a support element bearing against the other of worn.

This makes it possible to transmit in a relatively balanced manner to the frame the forces exerted by the cable on the drum. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view from above of a winch according to a first embodiment of the invention, with a section along the line II of FIG. 2; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of this winch, with a section along the line II-II of Figure 1; FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c are diagrammatic views from above of this winch during winding of the cable; FIG. 4 is a more detailed perspective view of this winch; - Figures 5a, 5b, 5c are detailed views from above of this winch during winding of the cable; FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a winch according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figures 7a, 7b, 7c are views of this winch similar to Figures 5a, 5b, 5c; - Figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of a winch according to a third embodiment of the invention; - Figures 9a, 9b, 9c are views of this winch similar to Figures 5a, 5b, 5c; FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view along plane X of FIG. 8; FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c are views of a

variant of the first embodiment, these figures being similar to Figures 3a, 3b, 3c. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the winch according to the first embodiment of the invention is a heavy winch intended to be fixed for example on the deck of a ship.

This winch comprises a fixed frame, generally designated 1, a drum 2 for winding and unwinding a cable 3, and an electric geared motor assembly, symbolized at 4, for rotating the drum 2.

The frame 1 here comprises an assembly of metal beams ensuring the rest and the attachment of the winch to the ground and carrying an upper plate 5. The frame 1 is provided with a member 6 for guiding the cable 3 which is mounted fixed in translation on a frame 20 secured to the frame 1 at a position spaced from the drum 2. The guide member β comprises a pair of rollers 7 of horizontal axes mounted to pivot between the flanks of the frame 20 and a pair of rollers 8 of vertical axes mounted for pivoting between the upper part and the lower part of the frame 20.

The drum 2 is mounted on a support generally designated 9. The support 9 comprises a lower plate 10 surmounted by two flanges 11 provided with bearings in which is mounted horizontally the shaft of the drum 2 so that the drum 2 can turn around of the central axis of his tree. One end of the shaft of the drum 2 extends in lateral projection of the adjacent flange 11 and is connected in rotation with the geared motor assembly 4 also mounted on the support 9.

The bottom plate 10 of the support 9 rests on the upper plate 5 of the frame 1 by rolling means, here handling balls 13.

The lower plate 10 has a rectilinear side 14 bearing against a bearing surface 15 in a cylinder portion which has a vertical axis centered on the guide member 6 and which projects from the upper plate 5. On the lower plate 10 is also fixed a rack 16 parallel and adjacent to the straight edge 14 to engage a toothed sector 17 of the same diameter as the bearing 15 and coaxial thereto. The toothed sector 17 is fixed on the bearing surface 15.

Above the flanges 11 is mounted a plate 12 provided with a rectilinear bearing 19 parallel to the axis of the drum. The frame 20 carries a roller 18 mounted on the upper part of the frame to pivot about a vertical axis passing between the axes of the rollers 8 and bear against the bearing 19.

The rectilinear side 14 and the bearing surface 15 extend below the drum 2 while the roller 18 and the bearing surface 19 extend above the drum 2: thus, the force exerted by the cable 3 on the drum 2 is resumed in a balanced way on both sides of the drum 2.

The support 9 is thus mounted on the frame 1 to move freely along an arcuate trajectory defined by the span 15 on which the rectilinear side 14 of the support 9 rolls without sliding (this path appears by comparing the Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and Figures 5a, 5b, 5c). The meshing of the rack 16 with the toothed sector 17 ensures that the rectilinear surface of the support 9 does not slip on the bearing surface of the frame 1,

It will be understood that, during the winding of the cable 3, the cable 3 exerts on the drum a force tending to move the drum 2 so as to bring the median plane P of the drum 2 in the direction of the force exerted by the cable 3. This displacement takes the form of rolling without sliding of the rectilinear side 14 on the span 15.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 7c, the winch according to the second embodiment of the invention is a light winch intended to be fixed for example on a land vehicle such as a truck or an off-road automobile.

This winch comprises a fixed frame, generally designated 1, a drum 2 for winding and unwinding a cable 3, and an electric geared motor assembly, symbolized at 4, for rotating the drum 2.

The frame 1 is provided with a member 6 for guiding the cable 3 which is mounted fixed in translation on a frame 20 secured to the frame 1 at a position spaced from the drum 2.

As before, the drum 2 is mounted at the end of the output shaft of the geared motor unit 4 which is itself integral with flanges 11 of a support generally designated 9.

The support 9 rests on the frame 1 by rolling means not visible in the figures.

The support 9 has a lower rectilinear side bearing against a lower bearing surface of the frame 1 having a cylinder-shaped portion which has a vertical axis centered on the guide member 6 and which projects from the frame 1.

Above the flanges 11 is mounted a plate 12 provided with a rectilinear bearing 19 parallel to the axis of the drum. The frame 20 carries a roller 18 mounted on the upper part of the frame to pivot about a vertical axis passing between the axes of the rollers 8 and bear against the bearing 19.

The rectilinear side and the aforesaid range extend below the drum 2 while the roller 18 and the bearing 19 extend above the drum 2: thus, the force exerted by the cable 3 on the drum 2 is resumed in a balanced way on both sides of the drum 2.

The support 9 is thus mounted on the frame 1 to move freely along an arcuate trajectory defined by the lower range on which the lower rectilinear side of the support 9 rolls without sliding (this path appears by comparing the Figures 7a, 7b, 7c).

The operation of the winch according to the second embodiment is identical to that of the winch according to the first embodiment previously described.

With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the winch according to the third embodiment of the invention is a light winch intended to be fixed for example on a boat trailer.

This winch comprises a fixed frame, generally designated 1, a drum 2 for winding and unwinding a cable 3, and a crank 40 for driving the drum 2 in rotation.

The frame 1 is provided with a member 6 for guiding the cable 3 which is mounted fixed in translation on a frame 20 secured to the frame 1 at a position spaced from the drum 2. Opposite the guide member 6, the frame 1 is provided with two rings 41 facing to possibly hook the winch to a hook. The rings 41 are each formed of a plate which is pierced with an opening 42 allowing the passage of the hook. This plate has a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the axis of the drum 2 and aligned with the guide member 6, and main faces parallel to said axis.

As previously, the drum 2 is integral with a horizontal shaft having pivotally received ends in flanges 11 integral with a support 9. One of these ends is itself connected in rotation to the crank 40 by a train gear not visible in the figures.

The support 9 rests on the frame 1 by rolling means not visible in the figures and comprises an armature passing between the rings 41. The armature of the support 9 has a rectilinear side 19 resting against a bearing surface 15 of the frame 1 having a shape in a cylinder portion which has a vertical axis centered on the guide member 6. The rectilinear side 19 and the bearing surface 15 are here provided with toothed portions meshing with each other (see Figure 10).

The support 9 is thus mounted on the frame 1 to move freely along an arcuate trajectory (this path appears by comparing FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c).

The operation of the winch according to the third embodiment is identical to that of the winch according to the first embodiment previously described.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, the invention is applicable to all types of winches, motor winches, crank winches, those equipping lifting equipment, those equipping land vehicles to bring a load ...

The rollers of the guide member may have differently oriented axes.

The frame can only include a scope and the support a single support surface. The support member may be a vertical axis roller which is collinear with that of the guide member and which rolls on the scope.

The winch may comprise a tensioning member of the cable 3 in such a way that, even in the absence of a load, it offers resistance to the winding of the cable 3 around the drum 2.

The winch may only include one scope.

The bearing 15 may have a shape different from that previously described as long as the bearing surface 14 of the support 9 and the bearing surface 15 have such shapes that the length of cable extending between the drum and the guide member remains constant due to the bearing surface bearing on the bearing. An example of this variant embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c.

The frame 1 may be provided with an attachment member allowing the winch to be used in the manner of a hoist or cable traction device for mobile use. Thus, it will be noted that the winch according to the third embodiment may be suspended by the rings 41 to function in the manner of a hoist or a mobile traction device.

A cable tension member may be mounted on one side of the opposite guide member to the drum.

Claims (9)

A winch comprising a fixed frame (1), a drum (2) for winding and unwinding a cable, and means (4) for rotating the drum, characterized in that a member (6) ) of the cable is fixedly mounted on the frame (1), in that the drum (2) is mounted on a support (9) to rotate about a horizontal axis, and in that the support is mounted on the frame (1) for moving freely so as to keep substantially constant the length (1) of cable extending between the guide member (6) and the drum (2). 2. Winch according to claim 1, wherein the support (9) is mounted on the frame (1) to move freely in a horizontal plane having a bearing surface (14) rolling without sliding on a bearing surface (15) secured to the frame (1), the bearing surface (14) of the support (9) and the bearing surface (15) having conjugate shapes so that the length of cable extending between the drum (2) and the member of guiding (6) remains constant due to the rolling of the bearing surface on the scope. 3. Winch according to claim 2, wherein the support (9) is free to move along an arcuate contour defined by a cylinder-shaped portion of the bearing surface (15) integral with the frame (1). , which has a vertical axis substantially centered on the guide member (6), the bearing surface having a rectilinear shape for rolling without sliding on the scope. 4. Winch according to claim 3, wherein the frame (1) carries a toothed sector (17) of the same pitch diameter as the scope of the frame (1) and coaxial thereto, and the support (9) carries a rack (16) meshing with the sector (17) to ensure no slippage of the support surface of the support on the scope of the frame (1). Winch according to claim 1, wherein the frame (1) has a bearing surface (19) below the drum (2) and, a bearing surface (15) above the drum (2), the bearing surface (14) of the support (9) bearing on one of the spans and the support (9) having a support member (18) bearing against the other litters. 6. Winch according to claim 5, wherein the support element (18) is a roller of vertical axis which is collinear with that of the guide member (6) and which rolls on the bearing surface (19). 7. Winch according to claim 1, wherein the guide member (6) of the cable comprises two pairs of rollers (7, 8) of perpendicular axes. 8. Winch according to claim 1, wherein a tension member of the cable is mounted on one side of the guide member opposite the drum (2). 9. Winch according to claim 1, wherein the frame (1) is provided with a fastening member (42) allowing the winch to be used in the manner of a hoist or a mobile traction device.