JP7804355B2 - wire tensioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wire tensioner.

Wire tensioners used, for example, in overhead line construction, have been known for some time. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of wire tensioner.

The wire tensioner in Patent Document 1 includes a drum for winding up the wire. The wire tensioner has a ratchet handle that can change the rotational drive direction of the drum. This wire tensioner is provided with a brake gear to limit the rotational direction of the drum.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-103513

When the wire is fully unwound from the drum of a wire tensioner, the drum may rotate in the opposite direction due to operator error or other reasons, causing the wire to be wound. In this case, the brake gear's ability to restrict the drum's rotation direction is effectively ineffective, and the wire tensioner may operate unintentionally.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to prevent reverse winding, which can cause unintended operation of the wire tensioner.

Means to solve the problem and effects

The problem that this invention aims to solve is as described above.Next, we will explain the means for solving this problem and its effects.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wire tensioner having the following configuration. That is, the wire tensioner comprises a drum, a linear member, a reverse rotation prevention mechanism, a handle, and a reverse winding prevention member. The drum is rotatable. The linear member is fixed to the drum and is wound onto the drum as the drum rotates in a first direction. The reverse rotation prevention mechanism is capable of preventing the drum from rotating in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The handle is operated to rotate the drum in the first direction and the second direction. The reverse winding prevention member prevents the drum from rotating in the second direction when the linear member is fully unwound from the drum by contacting the linear member or the drum.

This prevents the wire from being wound around the drum in the opposite direction to the normal direction, preventing the wire tensioner from operating in a way that is not expected by the operator.

The above-mentioned wire tensioner preferably has the following configuration. That is, the reverse winding prevention member is supported so that it can be changed between a braking position that brakes the linear member and an open position that releases the brake. When the drum rotates in the second direction with the linear member fully unwound from the drum, the reverse winding prevention member is pushed by the linear member and rotates to the braking position.

This allows for a simple configuration that prevents reverse winding.

The above-mentioned wire tensioner preferably has the following configuration. That is, the wire tensioner is provided with a guide member that guides the linear member along the winding tangential direction when the drum rotates in the first direction. The reverse winding prevention member is attached to the guide member.

As a result, a reverse winding prevention member is provided in the path along which the linear member is guided, so that the reverse winding prevention member can reliably act on the linear member to prevent reverse winding.

The above-mentioned wire tensioner is preferably configured as follows: That is, when the drum rotates in the second direction with the entire linear member unwound from the drum, the reverse winding prevention member catches on the fixed point between the drum and the linear member or on the drum, thereby preventing the rotation of the drum. When the drum rotates in the first direction from a state in which the entire linear member is unwound from the drum, the reverse winding prevention member is pushed toward the outer periphery as the linear member is wound onto the drum and its diameter increases, thereby allowing the drum to rotate.

This allows for a simple configuration that prevents reverse winding.

1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a wire tensioner according to an embodiment of the present invention; 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the reverse winding prevention member when the drum rotates in the direction A from a state in which the wire is completely unwound from the drum. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the reverse winding prevention member when the drum rotates in the B direction from a state in which the wire is completely unwound from the drum. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a wire tensioner according to a modified example. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the reverse winding prevention member when the drum rotates in the A direction from a state in which the wire is completely unwound in the modified example. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the reverse winding prevention member when the drum rotates in the B direction from a state in which the wire is completely unwound in a modified example. FIG.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a wire tensioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the reverse winding prevention member 14 when the drum 10 rotates in direction A from a state in which the wire 5 is completely unwound from the drum 10. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the reverse winding prevention member 14 when the drum 10 rotates in direction B, which is opposite to the above.

The wire tensioner 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 can wind a wire (linear member) 5 onto a drum 10.

The wire tensioner 1 comprises a frame 2, a handle 9, and a drum 10.

The frame 2 comprises two base plates 3 and 4. Each base plate 3 and 4 is a plate-shaped member. The two base plates 3 and 4 are arranged with an appropriate gap between them in the thickness direction. A connecting member 6 is supported at the end of the frame 2. By attaching a hook, for example, to this connecting member 6, the wire tensioner 1 can be fixed to another member.

The drum 10 is rotatably supported between the base plates 3 and 4. The end of the wire 5 is fixed to the drum 10.

The wire 5 is flexible. The configuration of the wire 5 is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, a metal wire is used. A known wire gripper (not shown) is attached to the wire 5, for example via a pulley. The wire gripper can grip and secure the target component to which tension is to be applied by the wire tensioner 1.

By rotating the drum 10 in the direction of arrow A relative to the frame 2, the wire 5 can be pulled and wound around the outer periphery of the drum 10. By rotating the drum 10 in direction B, which is opposite to direction A, the wire 5 can be unwound from the drum 10. Direction A corresponds to the first direction, and direction B corresponds to the second direction.

Although not shown, the shaft of the drum 10 extends through the base plate 3. The input gear 11 and input wheel 15 are fixed to this shaft. The input gear 11 and input wheel 15 rotate integrally with the drum 10.

The handle 9 is a long, thin rod-shaped member. The handle 9 is supported so that it can rotate around the rotation axis of the drum 10. The handle 9 can rotate relative to the input gear 11. The base of the handle 9 is hollow, and the input gear 11 is located inside it.

A ratchet member 12 is attached to the base of the handle 9. The ratchet member 12 is arranged close to the outer periphery of the input gear 11. The ratchet member 12 can mesh with teeth formed on the outer periphery of the input gear 11.

The ratchet member 12 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the handle 9. A knob 12a is formed on the ratchet member 12. The operator can change the operating position of the ratchet member 12 by operating the knob 12a. The ratchet member 12 has two pawls. Depending on the operating position of the ratchet member 12, one of the two pawls can be selectively engaged with the input gear 11.

The handle 9 contains a spring (not shown). The spring exerts a biasing force in a direction that moves one of the two pawls closer to the input gear 11, depending on the operating position of the ratchet member 12.

A regulating gear 7 and a locking member 8 are arranged near the base plate 3.

The regulating gear 7 is arranged between the base plate 3 and the handle 9. The regulating gear 7 is supported rotatably on the axis of the drum 10.

A one-way clutch (not shown) is provided between the regulating gear 7 and the input gear 11. This one-way clutch is engaged when the input gear 11 rotates in direction A relative to the regulating gear 7, transmitting the rotation of the input gear 11 to the regulating gear 7. When the input gear 11 rotates in direction B relative to the regulating gear 7, the one-way clutch is disengaged, and the rotation is not transmitted to the regulating gear 7.

The locking member 8 is positioned close to the outer periphery of the regulating gear 7. The locking member 8 is supported on the base plate 3 so that it can rotate. A locking claw is formed at the tip of the locking member 8. The locking claw can mesh with teeth formed on the outer periphery of the regulating gear 7.

A spring (not shown) is attached to the locking member 8. This spring applies a biasing force to the locking member 8 in a direction that moves the locking claw closer to the regulating gear 7.

The regulating gear 7 and locking member 8 constitute a locking mechanism (reverse rotation prevention mechanism) 16. This locking mechanism 16 allows the regulating gear 7 to rotate in direction A relative to the frame 2, but prevents it from rotating in direction B. The locking mechanism 16 prevents the drum 10 from rotating in direction B even when tension is applied to the drum 10 by the wire 5.

A knob 8a is formed on the locking member 8. The knob 8a is operated to unlock the locking mechanism 16. By operating the knob 8a, the operator can forcibly rotate the locking member 8 in a direction that resists the spring force, thereby releasing the engagement between the locking claw and the regulating gear 7.

When one of the two pawls of the ratchet member 12 is engaged with the input gear 11, rotating the handle 9 in the P direction transmits the operating force to the drum 10 via the input gear 11, causing the drum 10 to rotate in the A direction. Because the one-way clutch is engaged, the regulating gear 7 rotates in the A direction together with the input gear 11, but this rotation is not prevented by the locking mechanism 16 consisting of the locking member 8. When the handle 9 is rotated in the Q direction, the operating force of the handle 9 in that direction is not transmitted to the input gear 11. Therefore, by alternately rotating the handle 9 back and forth in the P and Q directions with an appropriate angular stroke, the drum 10 can be rotated little by little in the A direction to wind up the wire 5.

When the opposite pawl of the ratchet member 12 is engaged with the input gear 11, rotating the handle 9 in direction Q transmits the operating force to the drum 10 via the input gear 11, causing the drum 10 to rotate in direction B. Because the one-way clutch is disengaged, the regulating gear 7 does not rotate in direction B together with the input gear 11. When the handle 9 is rotated in direction P, the operating force of the handle 9 in that direction is not transmitted to the input gear 11. Therefore, by alternately rotating the handle 9 back and forth in directions Q and P with an appropriate angular stroke, the drum 10 can be rotated little by little in direction B, allowing the wire 5 to be unwound.

The input wheel 15 rotates integrally with the drum 10 and input gear 11. The outer periphery of the input wheel 15 has multiple recesses formed to make it easier for a person to rotate it with their fingers. When no tension is applied to the wire 5, the worker can grasp the input wheel 15 with their fingers and rotate it to quickly wind the wire 5 onto the drum 10. Instead of the recesses, a handle similar to a butterfly bolt, for example, may be attached.

A guide member 13 is provided on the frame 2. The guide member 13 is a member formed by bending a plate into a U-shape. The guide member 13 is fixed to connect the two base plates 3 and 4 provided on the frame 2 to each other. The wire 5 passes through the inside of the guide member 13.

A reverse wind prevention member 14 is attached to the guide member 13. The reverse wind prevention member 14 is a member in which a plate is bent into a U-shape. The reverse wind prevention member 14 is positioned inside the guide member 13.

An appropriate space is formed between the guide member 13 and the reverse wind prevention member 14. Hereinafter, the space between the guide member 13 and the reverse wind prevention member 14 may be referred to as the wire passing space. The wire 5 pulled out from the drum 10 passes through the wire passing space.

The wire passing space is offset to one side from a line passing through the center of rotation of the drum 10 so as to guide the wire 5 along the winding tangential direction when the drum 10 rotates in direction A. The reverse winding prevention member 14 is rotatably supported relative to the guide member 13 via a support shaft. Therefore, the shape of the wire passing space changes in response to the rotation of the reverse winding prevention member 14. Rotation of the reverse winding prevention member 14 allows a portion of the wire passing space to become narrower than the outer diameter of the wire 5.

Next, we will explain the reverse winding of wire 5 around drum 10.

In the wire tensioner 1 of this embodiment, for example, by unlocking the locking member 8 and grabbing the wire 5 and pulling it to the limit in the N direction in Figure 1, the wire 5 can be completely unwound from the drum 10.

From this state, the wire 5 can be wound onto the drum 10 by rotating the drum 10 again. By design, the rotation direction of the drum 10 when winding the wire 5 is set to direction A. However, by operating the ratchet member 12 on the handle 9 in the wrong position or by rotating the input wheel 15 in the wrong direction, the operator may rotate the drum 10 in direction B and wind the wire 5. In this specification, winding the wire 5 in the correct direction relative to the drum 10 is referred to as normal winding, and winding the wire 5 in the opposite direction to the correct direction is referred to as reverse winding.

Let's consider a case where the wire 5 is wound in the reverse direction as the drum 10 rotates in direction B, and the wire 5 is pulled with strong tension by operating the handle 9. When the operator releases the handle 9, the tension in the wire 5 causes the drum 10 to rotate in direction A. As a result, the input gear 11 rotates in direction A, engaging the one-way clutch and causing the regulating gear 7 to rotate integrally with the input gear 11. However, when the regulating gear 7 rotates in direction A, the locking mechanism 16 is not locked by the locking member 8.

In the end, when the drum 10 rotates in direction B due to the tension of the wire 5, it is free to rotate. Therefore, the rotation of the drum 10, which is subjected to the tension of the wire 5, is not prevented, and there is a risk that the handle 9 will rotate with great force in conjunction with the rotation of the drum 10.

In this regard, even if the wire 5 attempts to be wound around the drum 10 due to the above-mentioned reverse winding, the reverse winding prevention member 14 of this embodiment is pushed and rotated by the wire 5, clamping the wire 5 between itself and the guide member 13, thereby braking the wire 5. Therefore, the above-mentioned reverse winding can be substantially prevented.

Normal winding in this embodiment is shown in Figure 2, and reverse winding is shown in Figure 3. Figures 2 and beyond show the wire 5 near the reverse winding prevention member 14 with the handle 9 at a different angle than in Figure 1.

In normal winding as shown in Figure 2, the reverse winding prevention member 14 is generally parallel to the guide member 13 so as to follow the wire 5, so the guide member 13 does not get in the way of winding the wire 5. In reverse winding as shown in Figure 3, the reverse winding prevention member 14 is pushed and rotated by the wire 5 being wound around the drum 10, and comes into contact with the wire 5 at the portion indicated by the symbol X. As a result, the wire 5 is frictionally braked between the guide member 13 and the reverse winding prevention member 14, preventing reverse winding of the wire 5.

The reverse winding prevention member 14 is pushed by the wire 5 and automatically changes its position as the path of the wire 5 changes depending on whether the wire 5 is wound normally or reversely. Therefore, it is possible to prevent reverse winding while allowing normal winding of the wire 5 around the drum 10.

In this way, the wire tensioner 1 of this embodiment is highly convenient because the reverse winding prevention member 14 can prevent reverse winding due to operator error.

As shown in Figure 3, the dimension L1 of the part of the reverse wind prevention member 14 that is closer to the drum 10 than its support shaft is greater than the distance L2 between the support shaft and the braking part (L1 > L2). This allows the reverse wind prevention member 14 to strongly brake the wire 5 using the principle of leverage.

As described above, the wire tensioner 1 of this embodiment comprises the drum 10, the wire 5, the locking mechanism 16, the handle 9, and the reverse winding prevention member 14. The drum 10 is rotatable. The wire 5 is fixed to the drum 10 and is wound onto the drum 10 as the drum 10 rotates in direction A. The locking mechanism 16 can prevent the drum 10 from rotating in direction B, which is the opposite direction to direction A. The handle 9 is operated to rotate the drum 10 in directions A and B. The reverse winding prevention member 14 comes into contact with the wire 5, thereby preventing the drum 10 from rotating in direction B when all of the wire 5 has been unwound from the drum 10.

This prevents the wire 5 from being wound in the opposite direction to the normal direction around the drum 10. As a result, the wire tensioner 1 can be prevented from operating in an unexpected manner by the operator.

In the wire tensioner 1 of this embodiment, the reverse winding prevention member 14 is supported so that it can be changed between a braking position in which the wire 5 is braked as shown in Figure 3 and an open position in which the brake is released as shown in Figure 2. When the drum 10 rotates in direction B with all of the wire 5 unwound from the drum 10, the reverse winding prevention member 14 is pushed by the wire 5 and rotates to the braking position shown in Figure 3.

This allows for a simple configuration that prevents reverse winding.

The wire tensioner 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a guide member 13 that guides the wire 5 so that it generally follows the winding tangential direction (direction W in Figure 2) when the drum 10 rotates in direction A. A reverse winding prevention member 14 is attached to the guide member 13.

As a result, since the reverse winding prevention member 14 is provided in the path along which the wire 5 is guided, the reverse winding prevention member 14 can reliably act on the wire 5 to prevent reverse winding.

Next, we will explain a modified example of the above embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the modified wire tensioner 1x. In explaining this modified example, components that are the same as or similar to those in the above embodiment will be given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their explanation may be omitted.

In the modified wire tensioner 1x shown in Figure 4, the end of a belt (linear member) 5x is attached to the drum 10 instead of a wire. The belt can be made of any material, but in this modification, polyamide resin is used. Polyamide resin, which has electrical insulating properties, is suitable for use in, for example, electrical wiring work. The outer surface of the cylindrical shaft of the drum 10 is ground flat, and the belt is fixed to this flat portion.

A reverse winding prevention member 14x is attached to the frame 2 of the wire tensioner 1x. The reverse winding prevention member 14x is arranged between the base plates 3 and 4 provided on the frame 2. The reverse winding prevention member 14x is formed in a plate shape, and its ends are rotatably supported on the base plates 3 and 4.

A spring (not shown) is attached to the reverse wind prevention member 14x. This spring biases the reverse wind prevention member 14x so that the tip of the reverse wind prevention member 14x approaches the shaft portion of the drum 10.

With this configuration, consider the state in which the belt 5x is completely unwound from the drum 10, as shown in Figure 4. When the drum 10 is rotated in direction A from the state in Figure 4, the reverse winding prevention member 14x slides over the belt 5x, which is wound spirally around the outer periphery of the shaft, and gradually retreats. Figure 5 shows the state just before the reverse winding prevention member 14x comes into contact with the outer periphery of the belt 5x. Therefore, when the drum 10 is rotated in direction A to wind up the belt 5x, the reverse winding prevention member 14x does not obstruct rotation.

When the drum 10 is rotated in direction B from the state shown in Figure 4, the connection between the shaft of the drum 10 and the belt 5x gets caught on the tip of the reverse wind prevention member 14x, as shown in Figure 6. Therefore, reverse winding can be prevented by the reverse wind prevention member 14x.

As described above, in the wire tensioner 1x of this embodiment, the reverse winding prevention member 14x is arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the drum 10. When the drum 10 rotates in direction B with the belt 5x fully unwound from the drum 10, the reverse winding prevention member 14x gets caught on the fixed point between the drum 10 and the belt 5x, preventing the drum 10 from rotating. When the drum 10 rotates in direction A, as the belt 5x is wound around the drum 10 and its diameter increases, it is pushed against the outer periphery, allowing the drum 10 to rotate.

This allows for a simple reverse winding configuration.

The above describes preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows. Each modification may be made alone, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

The reverse wind prevention member 14 shown in Figure 1 can be changed from a U-shaped plate-like member to, for example, a block-shaped member. Furthermore, the corners of the reverse wind prevention member 14 that come into contact with the wire 5 can be rounded to prevent damage to the wire 5 during braking.

As shown in Figure 6, the modified reverse wind prevention member 14x contacts both the belt 5x and the shaft of the drum 10, thereby preventing rotation of the drum 10 in direction B. As described below, this reverse wind prevention member 14x can be modified to contact only the shaft of the drum 10 to prevent rotation. For example, an appropriate recess is formed on the outer surface of the shaft of the drum 10 into which the tip of the reverse wind prevention member can hook. When the drum 10 attempts to rotate in direction B in the state shown in Figure 4, the tip of the reverse wind prevention member enters and hooks into the recess, preventing the rotation. When the drum 10 rotates in direction A, the recess is blocked by the belt 5x, so the rotation of the drum 10 is not prevented by the reverse wind prevention member.

A belt 5x can be applied to the wire tensioner 1 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. A wire 5 can be applied to the wire tensioner 1x of the modified example shown in Figure 4.

The guide member 13 may be formed integrally with the base plates 3 and 4.

The input wheel 15 can be omitted and the drum 10 can be driven using only the handle 9.

The wire tensioners 1, 1x of this embodiment can be used to tension linear components such as electric wires, communication cables, and various ropes. The wire tensioners 1, 1x can also be used for temporary welding, securing cargo, moving heavy objects, etc.

1, 1x Wire tensioner 5 Wire (linear member)
5x Belts (Linear Members)
9 Handle 10 Drum 13 Guide member 14, 14x Reverse wind prevention member 16 Lock mechanism (reverse rotation prevention mechanism)

Claims (4)

A rotatable drum;
a linear member fixed to the drum and wound onto the drum when the drum rotates in a first direction;
a reverse rotation prevention mechanism capable of preventing the drum from rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
a handle that is operated to rotate the drum in the first direction and the second direction;
a reverse winding prevention member that prevents the drum from rotating in the second direction by contacting the linear member or the drum when the linear member is completely unwound from the drum;
A wire tensioner comprising: The wire tensioner according to claim 1,
the reverse winding prevention member is supported so as to be changeable between a braking posture for braking the linear member and an open posture for releasing the braking,
A wire tensioner characterized in that when the drum rotates in the second direction with all of the linear member unwound from the drum, the reverse winding prevention member is pushed by the linear member, rotates, and assumes the braking position. The wire tensioner according to claim 2,
a guide member that guides the linear member so that the linear member is generally along a winding tangential direction when the drum rotates in the first direction,
A wire tensioner characterized in that the reverse winding prevention member is attached to the guide member. The wire tensioner according to claim 1,
When the drum rotates in the second direction from a state in which the linear member is completely unwound from the drum, the reverse winding prevention member is caught on a fixed portion between the drum and the linear member or on the drum, thereby preventing the rotation of the drum,
A wire tensioner characterized in that when the drum rotates in the first direction from a state in which the linear member has been completely unwound from the drum, the reverse winding prevention member is pushed toward the outer periphery as the linear member is wound around the drum and its diameter increases, thereby allowing the drum to rotate.