FR3110453A1 - Winch for moving a load in the entertainment industry and method of using such a winch - Google Patents

Abstract

A winch (T) for moving a load in the entertainment industry, the winch comprising (T) a frame (1), a drum (2) having a receiving net (20) which is helical and configured to cooperate with the traction cable (K) and a guide device (3) of the traction cable (K) comprising a guide rod (30) and a guide member (4) comprising, on the one hand, a groove ( 41) configured to cooperate with the traction cable (K) and, on the other hand, a finger (42) positioned in the receiving net (20) of the drum (2) so as to precisely define the position of the groove ( 41) relative to the receiving net (20) so that the groove (41) maintains the traction cable (K) in the receiving net (20). Abstract figure: Figure 2

Description

Winch for moving a load in the entertainment industry and method of using such a winch

The present invention relates to the field of show machinery and is intended for use in a show hall or a stadium.

In a known way, in order to make a show attractive for the spectators, it is known to move decorative elements in the air around an artist, above the public or to move the artist directly in the air by means of one or more cables in order to move it according to predetermined trajectories.

In practice, to move a load connected to a single cable, a control system is used connected to a winch comprising a drum on which the cable is wound. The drum is motorized and can be driven in rotation in the two opposite directions of rotation to wind and unwind the cable. The control system sends instructions to the winch so as to wind up/unwind the cable according to the chosen kinematics. In fact, the control system is connected to a plurality of winches so as to control simultaneously and in real time the kinematics of many loads along a single axis, in a plane (2D) or in space (3D) .

For movement in space (3D), a single load is connected to several winch cables and it is necessary to coordinate the action of the winches so that the movement of the load is very precise and secure. In more detail, it is important to control the distribution of forces by avoiding slack in the cable (absence of tension) or overloading of the winch (tension greater than a predetermined limit of the winch).

This is even more important when the load is a performer who must be moved in the air several meters above the ground in an environment with many elements of scenery.

In fact, the control of a winch is based on a model in which the winding around the drum is perfect. In practice, when the cable does not wrap perfectly around the drum, the movement can be distorted.

Furthermore, when the load is not connected to the cable, the cable is no longer taut on the drum (cable slack) and can move, which lowers the precision when moving. To eliminate this drawback, it is known to keep the cable taut by connecting the cable to a temporary load, in particular a ballast of high mass. Such a solution increases the complexity and is not possible during a show since this operation would be visible to the spectators. A similar drawback arises when handling the winch for which it is necessary to block the cable on the drum, in particular, by means of a tensioner.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a winch having a winding/unwinding which is perfectly controlled so as to eliminate any discrepancy between the control model and the actual winding/unwinding of the cable.

During a show, a constellation of winches is generally used to move a large number of loads. Another objective is to propose a winch whose mass is reduced given that it must be fixed at a height on a support structure of a concert hall or stadium. Another object is to provide a winch whose structure is simple and inexpensive so as to reduce the overall cost for a show using a large number of winches. Another objective is to provide a winch whose size is reduced so that it can be housed in a cavity of a pre-assembly bridge.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a winch for moving a load in the entertainment industry, the winch comprising a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on an axis of the drum relative to the frame, a traction cable whose first end is integral with the drum and of which a second end is free, the drum comprising a receiving thread which is helical and configured to cooperate with the traction cable.

The invention is remarkable in that it comprises a device for guiding the traction cable during its winding/unwinding in the reception net, the guiding device comprising a guide rod, connected to the frame and extending along a guide axis parallel to the drum axis, and a guide member, configured to slide freely on the guide rod, comprising, on the one hand, a groove configured to cooperate with the traction cable and, on the other hand , a finger positioned in the receiving thread of the drum so as to precisely define the position of the groove relative to the receiving thread so that the groove maintains the traction cable in the receiving thread.

Advantageously, the guide device makes it possible to maintain the traction cable in the reception net in a precise manner. The presence of a finger positioned in the receiving thread of the drum allows the guide member to move along the guide axis when the drum is rotating in one direction or the other. Any misplacement of the traction cable on the drum is eliminated, which guarantees precise and safe movement of a load using the winch. The real displacement is thus identical to the displacement defined by the theoretical model. In addition, the structure of the guide member is simple and light and can be added to an existing winch conveniently, which is advantageous economically.

The receiving thread defines a helix pitch along the drum axis. Preferably, the groove and the finger are spaced from said helix pitch along the guide axis. Thus, the groove is positioned one row away from the finger so as to ensure precise positioning of the traction cable when the finger moves in the receiving net.

Preferably, the finger has a section of shape complementary to that of the section of the receiving net so as to ensure optimum cooperation. Thus, the finger is guided very precisely and any deviation is avoided.

Preferably, the guide device is configured to pinch the cable between the groove and the receiving thread in which the cable is housed. Such pinching makes it possible to immobilize the traction cable on the drum.

Preferably, the distance between the bottom of the groove and the bottom of the receiving thread is less than the diameter of the cable, preferably, by less than 5%, more preferably, of the order of 1%. Thus, the cable is slightly compressed so as to ensure its pinching without injuring it or slowing it down during its winding/unwinding. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide temporary ballast or a tensioner during handling.

Preferably, the guide member has a shape of revolution.

Preferably, the traction cable can be wound on the drum in a single layer. This achieves absolute precision over the entire unwinding length.

Preferably, the traction cable is configured to tow a load of between 50 kg and 100 kg and, preferably, to move at a speed greater than 1 m/s.

According to a preferred aspect, the winch comprises a controllable motor configured to drive the drum in a first direction of rotation or in a second opposite direction of rotation so as to wind up or unwind the traction cable.

The invention also relates to an assembly of at least one control device and at least one winch as presented above, the control device being connected to the motor in order to control it. Preferably, the assembly comprises a plurality of winches connected to the control device. Preferably, the traction cables of the winches are connected to the same load, preferably to a person.

The invention also relates to a load-bearing structure and at least one winch, as presented above, secured to the load-bearing structure. Preferably, the supporting structure is in the form of a pre-assembly bridge, in particular, having a U-shaped section defining a cavity in which the winch is mounted. The winch has a height of less than 330mm and a width of less than 520mm in order to accommodate such a pre-assembly bridge.

The invention also relates to a theater comprising a supporting structure in height and at least one winch, as presented above, secured to the supporting structure.

The invention also relates to a method of using a winch as presented previously, the traction cable being partially wound on the drum, the method comprises a step of rotating the drum in order to cause the winding of the cable traction, the drum receiving net moving the finger of the guide member in translation along the guide axis, the groove of the guide member holding the traction cable during its winding in the receiving net.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of example, and referring to the following figures, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects. .

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a theater equipped with three winches according to one embodiment of the invention to move an artist in the air.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a winch according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a close-up schematic representation of a winch drum and a winch cable guiding device according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the guide device.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional representation of the guide device of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a close schematic representation of the cooperation of the guide device with the winch cable and a receiving net of the drum.

Figure 7 is a top view of the cooperation of the guide device with the winch cable and a drum receiving net.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the cooperation of the guide device with the winch cable and a drum receiving net.

It should be noted that the figures expose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an SDS performance hall comprising a stage F on which one or more artists A can evolve. The SDS performance hall comprises in a known manner a supporting structure SP above the stage F, for example, made in the form of a metal mesh.

Preferably, the support structure SP is in the form of a pre-assembly bridge, in particular, having a U-shaped section defining a cavity in which stage equipment is mounted.

In this exemplary implementation, the SDS show room comprises a plurality of winches T forming a constellation. The winches T are fixed to the supporting structure SP and electrically powered. The winches T are also connected to a control device DC so as to control and synchronize all of the winches T. The control system DC preferably takes the form of a computer server. Each winch T comprises a traction cable K which is, in this example, connected to a harness worn by an artist A so as to move him above the stage F and make him describe trajectories determined by the control device DC .

A T winch for moving a load in the entertainment industry will now be presented. Referring to Figure 2, the winch T comprises a frame 1, a drum 2 rotatably mounted on a drum axis X2 relative to the frame 1 and a traction cable K, one end of which is integral with the drum 2 and one of which second end is free. The drum 2 comprises a helical receiving net 20 configured to cooperate with the traction cable K.

In this example, chassis 1 has the shape of a rectangular cage but it goes without saying that it could be of a different shape. As illustrated in Figure 2, the frame 1 comprises a plurality of attachment members 11 configured to suspend the winch T to a support structure SP as presented above. The winch T preferably has a height of less than 330mm and a width of less than 520mm in order to fit into a pre-assembly bridge.

The drum 2 has an outer surface including the receiving thread 20 which is helical. In this example, drum 2 has a diameter between 20mm and 100mm. The receiving net 20 has a depth of between 1mm and 8mm and a thickness of between 2mm and 10mm. It goes without saying that the dimensions of the receiving net 20 vary according to the section of the traction cable K. In this example, the traction cable K has a diameter of between 2mm and 10mm. The receiving net 20 defines a helix pitch P (Figure 6) which is constant and between 2mm and 7mm. The receiving net 20 further comprises a helix angle of between 2 and 5°. The reception net 20 can thus accommodate a length of traction cable K of between 10m and 30m on a single layer.

Still with reference to FIG. 2, the winch T comprises a controllable motor 5 configured to drive the drum 2 in a first direction of rotation or in a second opposite direction of rotation so as to wind up or unwind the traction cable K. The motor 5 is configured to be connected to the DC control device in a wireless or wired manner. In this example, the motor 5 is connected to the drum 2 by a reducer 6 but this is optional. The winch T also includes a drum brake 22 and one or more limit switches 7. The controllable motor 5 is preferably a synchronous motor so as to have a high torque at low speed and thus achieve very slow movements.

Preferably, the traction cable K can be wound on the drum 2 in a single layer. In other words, in the rolled-up position, the entire length of the traction cable K is housed in the receiving net 20 of the drum 2.

Preferably, the winch T is configured to tow a mass of between 50 kg and 100 kg and to move at a speed greater than 1 m/s, in particular, up to a speed of 2 m/s. Such a winch T is opposed to a winch used in construction for heavy loads or a winch for light loads of a few kilos which concern related technical fields but respond to very different technical constraints.

According to the invention, the winch T comprises a device 3 for guiding the traction cable K during its winding/unwinding in the reception net 20.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the guide device 3 comprises a guide rod 30, secured to the frame 1 and parallel to the drum 2. The guide device 3 further comprises a guide member 4, configured to slide freely on the rod guide 30 which comprises, on the one hand, a groove 41 configured to cooperate with the traction cable K and, on the other hand, a finger 42 positioned in the receiving thread 20 of the drum 2 so as to precisely define the position of the groove 41 relative to the receiving thread 20.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the guide member 4 is movably mounted on the guide rod 30 so as to be able to translate along the guide axis X3 and rotate around said axis X3 in the manner of a roller. The guide member 4 has a form of revolution. Preferably, the guide member 4 is in one piece.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the finger 42 has a section of shape complementary to that of the section of the receiving thread 20 so as to ensure adjusted cooperation. In this example, the finger 42 has a section in the shape of a portion of a convex circle, in particular a semicircle, in order to cooperate with the receiving thread 20. Similarly, the groove 41 has a section in the shape of a portion of concave circle, in particular a semicircle, in order to cooperate with the traction cable K.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the groove 41 and the finger 42 are spaced along the guide axis X3 of said helix pitch P so that the groove 41 is aligned with the receiving thread 20 when the finger 42 is in the receiving net 20 as shown in Figure 6.

The guide device 4 is configured to pinch the traction cable K between the groove 41 and the receiving thread 20 in which the traction cable K is housed. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the distance d1 between the bottom of the groove 41 and the bottom of the receiving thread 20 is less than the diameter dk of the traction cable K in the absence of stress, preferably by less than 5%, more preferably still of the order of 1%. Thus, the traction cable K is pinched without risk of injury. This is particularly advantageous for handling the T winch.

In this example, with reference to Figure 4, the groove 41 and the finger 42 are separated axially by an interface portion 44 whose axial length is of the order of 0.5 mm so as to allow play between the cable pull K and finger 42.

Preferably, with reference to Figures 4 and 6, the guide member 4 further comprises a plating portion 43 configured to participate in the immobilization of the traction cable K in the receiving net 20. The plating portion 43 is spaced from the groove 41 by a distance of one helix pitch P. The groove 41 is positioned between the plating portion 43 and the finger 42 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The plating portion 43 has a cross section shape of concave circle portion, in particular a quarter circle, in order to cooperate with the traction cable K. The distance between the bottom of the tackle portion 43 and the bottom of the receiving net 20 is identical to the distance d1 between the bottom of the groove 41 and the bottom of the receiving thread 20. This makes it possible to apply a similar pinching force. The simultaneous use of a groove 41 and a plating portion 43 makes it possible to increase the pinching in order to perfectly secure the traction cable K without requiring the attachment of a heavy weight ballast to the traction cable K to keep it tense. The pinching is distributed, which limits the risk of injury to the K traction cable.

In this example, with reference to Figure 4, the groove 41 and the plating portion 43 are separated axially by an interface portion 45 whose axial length is of the order of 0.5 mm so as to allow clearance.

An example of implementation of the winch T will now be presented with reference to Figures 6 to 8.

In this example, the traction cable K is partially wound on the drum 2. With reference to FIG. 6, the helical receiving thread 20 defines several successive rows R separated by a helix pitch P. The finger 42 is positioned in rank R_notof the receiving net 20 which is empty. Groove 41 constrains a portion of traction cable K housed in row R_n-1of the reception net 20 while the plating portion 43 constrains a portion of the traction cable K housed in row R_{not- 2} of the receiving net 20. Thus, the traction cable T is perfectly immobilized.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the method includes a step of rotating the drum 2 about its axis X2 (in this example clockwise) to cause the winding of the traction cable K. During the rotation, the receiving thread 20 of the drum 2 moves the finger 42 of the guide member 4 in translation along the guide axis X3 (in this example to the right). In this example, finger 42 moves from row R _n to row R _n+1 and so on. The groove 41, integral with the finger 42, accompanies the traction cable K in the reception net 20 by pressing it so as to avoid any imprecise positioning. Thus, the groove 41 accompanies the traction cable K in the row R _n which was previously occupied by the finger 42. This is particularly advantageous for the application envisaged in which the traction cable K is moved with a high speed in the two sense of rotation. Due to the friction between the traction cable K and the guide member 4, the guide member 4 begins to rotate around the guide axis X3.

Thanks to the guide device 3, the winch T can wind/unwind a traction cable K with high speeds and with great precision, which makes it possible to move a load along the desired trajectory without risk to the load. In addition, the simple structure of the guide device 3 makes it possible to limit the cost of a winch T as well as its mass. This is particularly advantageous when a constellation of winches T are controlled simultaneously by a DC control device.

Claims (10)

Winch (T) for moving a load (A) in the entertainment industry, the winch comprising (T) a frame (1), a drum (2) rotatably mounted on an axis of the drum (X2) by relative to the chassis (1), a traction cable (K) whose first end is integral with the drum (2) and whose second end is free, the drum (2) comprising a receiving thread (20) which is helical and configured to cooperate with the traction cable (K), winch characterized (T) in that it comprises a device (3) for guiding the traction cable (K) during its winding/unwinding in the reception net ( 20), the guide device (3) comprising a guide rod (30), connected to the frame (1) and extending along a guide axis (X3) parallel to the drum axis (X2), and a guide member (4), configured to slide freely on the guide rod (30), comprising, on the one hand, a groove (41) configured to cooperate with the traction cable (K) and, on the other hand, a finger (42) positioned in the receiving thread (20) of the drum (2) so as to precisely define the position of the groove (41) relative to the receiving thread (20) so that the groove (41) holds the traction cable (K) in the reception net (20). Winch according to Claim 1, in which, the receiving thread (20) defining a helix pitch (P) along the drum axis (X2), the groove (41) and the finger (42) are spaced apart along the guide axis (X3) of said propeller pitch (P). Winch according to one of Claims 1 to 2, in which the finger (42) has a section of shape complementary to that of the section of the receiving net (20) so as to ensure adjusted cooperation. Winch according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the guide device (4) is configured to pinch the cable (K) between the groove (41) and the receiving thread (20) in which the cable ( K). Winch according to one of the preceding claims, in which the traction cable (K) can be wound on the drum (2) in a single layer. Winch according to one of the preceding claims, in which the traction cable (K) is configured to tow a load (A) of between 50 kg and 100 kg and to move at a speed greater than 1 m/s. Winch according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a controllable motor (5) configured to drive the drum (2) in a first direction of rotation or in a second opposite direction of rotation so as to wind or unwind the traction cable (K ). Set of at least one control device (DC) and at least one winch (T) according to claim 7, the control device (DC) being connected to the motor (5) in order to control it. Performance hall (SDS) comprising a support structure (SP) in height and at least one winch (T) according to one of claims 1 to 7 secured to the support structure (SP). Method of using a winch (T) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the traction cable (K) being partially wound on the drum (2), the method comprises a step of rotating the drum ( 2) in order to cause the winding of the traction cable (K), the receiving net (20) of the drum (2) moving the finger (42) of the guide member (4) in translation along the axis guide (X3), the groove (41) of the guide member (4) holding the traction cable (K) during its winding in the receiving net (20).