(19)
(11) EP 3 095 748 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
27.09.2017 Bulletin 2017/39

(21) Application number: 15177249.8

(22) Date of filing: 17.07.2015
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B66D 1/56(2006.01)

(54)

WINCH WITH A SAFETY MECHANISM FOR SWITCHING OFF WINDING OF A ROPE

Winde mit Sicherheitsvorrichtung zum Unterbrechen des Aufwickelvorgangs

Treuil avec un mécanisme de sécurité pour l'arrêt de l' enroulement d'une corde


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 22.05.2015 SI 201500132

(43) Date of publication of application:
23.11.2016 Bulletin 2016/47

(73) Proprietor: Pisek - Vitli Krpan, d.o.o.
3240 Smarje pri Jelsah (SI)

(72) Inventor:
  • Pisek, Franc
    3240 Smarje pri Jelsah (SI)

(74) Representative: Flak, Antonija 
Patentni biro AF d.o.o., Kotnikova 32 p.p. 2706
1001 Ljubljana
1001 Ljubljana (SI)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A1-2010/014048
JP-U- H0 625 290
US-A- 1 364 805
FR-A1- 2 740 764
JP-U- S6 050 697
US-A1- 2010 224 117
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Field of the invention



    [0001] The invention belongs to the field of mechanical engineering, more precisely to the field of safety devices associated with forest winches.

    Technical problem



    [0002] The technical problem, which is solved by the present invention, is construction of a mechanism for switching off or suspending winding of a rope onto a winch drum with electric, hydraulic or mechanic control of an unwinding cable, including winches with or without a driven cable. When winding a rope onto a winch drum the user often fails to terminate winding at the right time, therefore the rope is caught between layers of threads on the drum or the end part for attachment is torn. In both cases, work needs to be suspended and the problem must be solved. Permanent destruction of the rope or its part is common, especially if it is caught between layers of threads on the drum causing the rope to be squeezed or permanently deformed. Such permanent deformation can be prevented by using a large pulling force when unwinding, otherwise it is impossible to unwind the rope from the drum. If the pulling rope of the winch is not stopped on time, this may also result in damaged construction elements of the winch. In most cases this element is wire rope guide on the cable.

    [0003] The purpose and the objective of the invention is such constructional solution for switching off winding of a rope, which will allow safe winch operation and will prevent damage on machines and equipment thereby decreasing costs associated with winch maintenance. A solution to this problem is provided by the winch of claim 1.

    State of the art



    [0004] WO 2010/014048 A discloses a device for controlled winding and unwinding of a wire rope - braided cable, which has a sensor for monitoring the position of an end-piece-ending or adjustable restriction piece-washer of the pulling end of the wire rope and enables switching-off the winch when the pulling end of the wire rope reaches a rope guiding mouth to a certain distance. The spatial or three-dimensional adaptation of the rope wire, which travels through the pulley and the cable into the mouth and the end-piece, is controlled by a swinging carrier of guiding/compression wheels, which are pressed by two springs adjustable by two bolts of the swinging carrier. Besides a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic drive features a damper valve and a non-return valve placed on a return flow pipe of the hydraulic motor.

    [0005] Utility model DE 20 2013 105 782 U1 discloses a winch with a movable handle having a thread on the end of the pulling rope, providing the user with a grip of the handle thereby protecting the user so that his hand is not pulled into the guide of the pulling rope.

    [0006] Utility model DE 20 2013 102 281 U1 discloses a solution for switching off the pulling rope drive, when the end of the rope reaches an accessory of a rope guide. The solution is based on a transmitter in the form of a RFID chip installed in the end piece. This utility model also describes an embodiment with two transmitters, the first being present on the end piece and the second before the end of the rope. According to this solution it is possible to set the point of switching off or the distance between the end piece and the pulley, at which the drive is switched off automatically, with a potentiometer. A receiver is placed on the winch. The disadvantage of this solution is that functioning of transmitters on rope or end piece may be unreliable or impaired due to working conditions, which include dirt, mud, dust, moisture, snow and ice.

    [0007] Winches available on the market do not have options to terminate winch operation when the pulling rope is wound to the end and reaches the entrance of the rope guide. Winches of the company VITLI KRPAN and company Uniforest are equipped with a round plate attached before the end of the rope as a clipping loop, which leans on the rope guide if the rope is wound to its end. This plate is useful for visual positioning of the rope, but in practice, during winch operation, it jams in tree branches or in possible obstacles present in the field.

    [0008] Above mentioned known solutions do not solve switching off the winch if the pulling rope is wound to the end, as is the case in the present invention, which causes directly or indirectly via an intermediate part on a rope termination of rope winding when the rope is in its final position.

    Description of the invention



    [0009] The essence of the winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope, according to the invention is that an end part of a pulling rope in its final position directly or indirectly via an intermediate part causes a shift of an end switch, which stops a drive of a drum with the rope. Switching off the end switch releases a pushing element, which is pushed into the end switch by a rotatably mounted washer on an accessory on a rope guide, when the accessory of an end piece due to winding of the pulling rope reaches the washer and pushes it into an upright position. The mechanism may be installed in winches with electric, hydraulic or mechanic control of winding and unwinding of the pulling rope with or without an unwinding cable.

    [0010] The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope will be further described based on Figure 1.

    [0011] The pulling rope is via a conveying arm rotatably mounted from the inner side into the winch housing or housing of the drum perpendicularly to the drum axis and oscillates along the longitudinal axis of the drum, wherein the wire rope is guided through guiding discs in the direction towards an exit opening on a part of the winch. On the outer part of the winch housing a console 1 with a housing 2a of an unwinding pulley 2 is rotatably mounted around the vertical axis. On the housing 2a with the pulley 2 a holder of a guide 3 of the pulling rope 4 is rotatably mounted around the horizontal axis. On the holder of the guide 3 a housing 10a is mounted with an end switch 10 and a guide 5a with a pushing element 5, which is within the reach of a side 6b of a washer 6 with a bottom part 6a rotatably mounted in the axis 3a' of an accessory 3a. The side 6b of the washer 6 has in the middle an opening 6b', through which the pulling rope 4 slides. The opening 6b' may have any shape, preferably it has a round or an oval shape. An end piece 7 with an accessory 7a on the side of the washer 6 and a clamp 8 for the chain are mounted on the rope 4. One or more elements 9 for chain attachment may be present between the end piece 7 and the washer 6.

    [0012] The end switch is any switching element such as a position sensor, preferably an inductive sensor, mechanically controlled valve or any other element, which causes a switch in the status of a hydraulic or electric circuit of the drum from a turned on status to a turned off status.

    [0013] When working with the winch the user firstly through the cardan shaft of a tractor enables operation of the drum with the rope as well as operation of the mechanic-hydraulic system of the winch. When the switch is on, the rope 4 is via the pulley 2 unwound to a fallen tree, which is attached with a chain with the help of the clamp 8 and if necessary with additional clamping elements 9. After this, with switching on the winding of the rope onto the drum, the rope 4 begins to shorten, causing the attached load to be pulled. This process lasts until the user does not terminate winding of the rope 4 onto the drum. If the user forgets to control the position of the rope 4 with the load for whatever reason and consequently the end piece 7 comes close to the side 6b of the washer 6 so that the latter is pushed into a perpendicular position, the side 6b of the washer 6 pushes the element 5 into the switch 10, which will switch off winding of the rope or drive of the drum, respectively. In different versions of winches the drive of the winding and/or unwinding cable may be controlled with an electric or hydraulic circuit. In more simple versions of winches the drive of the winding and/or unwinding cable is mechanic, using chains and sprockets. The mechanism for switching off winding of a rope may be used in all of the above mentioned versions of winches. The pulling rope 4 is preferably a steel rope, however, it may be made from any material, particularly as a synthetic rope.

    [0014] A winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to embodiment I has the washer 6 installed in the lower part of the accessory 3a with the help of at least one or more springs, which hold the washer 6 at a distance from the pushing element 5. When the accessory 7a of the end piece 7 pushes the washer 6, the pushing element 5 is pushed into the end switch 10, which terminates winding of the rope 4 onto the drum.

    [0015] The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to embodiment II has the washer 6 mounted on the pushing element 5, the washer 6 being pushed by the accessory 7a of the end piece 7 when the pulling rope 4 is in its utmost position, which also pushes the element 5 into the end switch 10 and causes termination of rope 4 winding onto the drum.

    [0016] The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to embodiment III has the accessory 7a of the end piece 7 shaped in such a way that in the utmost position of the pulling rope 4 the accessory 7a pushes the element 5 into the end switch 10, which terminates winding of the rope 4. The accessory 7a may be shaped in any shape, preferably the shape is oval, round or rectangular, and the dimensions are such that they allow the element 5 to be pushed.

    [0017] The proposed solution with automatic switching off of the end switch, when the rope is wound to its end, prevents unforeseen events, which could damage the winch and its equipment. The mechanism for switching off winding of a rope may be installed on the upper or the lower cable and is suitable for winches with electric, hydraulic or mechanic steering of winding and unwinding of the pulling rope with or without the unwinding cable for unwinding the rope from the drum. An advantage of this solution is also that it is practically insensitive for working conditions, where lots of dirt, mud, dust, moisture, snow and ice is present, because no elements are present on the rope, but are instead present on the upper and/or lower cable.

    [0018] Another advantage of the mechanism according to the invention is that the rope is without any additional movable element, which could be jammed in tree branches or other obstacles in the way of the rope during work process. All elements, which ensure a reliable switch off, are installed in the assembly of upper or lower cable. A winch may be equipped with only the upper cable or the lower cable may be added to the upper, wherein the lower cable is supplied with the safety mechanism as well. The upper cable is in use most of the time, while the lower cable is in use when loads are larger, as pulling force direction is closer to ground, thereby achieving incomparably more stable pulling, because the danger of tractor lifting due to heavy load is eliminated. The possibility of accidents with the tractor or the winch is minimized with the use of the lower cable. The lower cable is activated in such a manner that the pulling rope is attached to the lower cable.


    Claims

    1. A winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope, wherein an end part of a pulling rope in its final position directly or indirectly via an intermediate part causes a shift of an end switch, which stops a drive of a drum with the rope, whereby on the outer part of the winch housing a console (1) with a housing (2a) of an unwinding pulley (2) is rotatably mounted around the vertical axis; that on the housing (2a) with the pulley (2) a holder of a guide (3) of the pulling rope (4) is rotatably mounted around the horizontal axis; that on the holder of the guide (3) a housing (10a) is mounted with an end switch (10) and a guide (5a) with a pushing element (5), characterised in that the pushing element is within the reach of a side (6b) of a washer (6) with a bottom part (6a) rotatably mounted in the axis (3a') of accessory (3a); that the side (6b) of the washer (6) has in the middle an opening (6b'), through which the pulling rope (4) slides; that the opening (6b') may have any shape, preferably it has a round or an oval shape; that an end piece (7) with an accessory (7a) on the side of the washer (6) and a clamp (8) for the chain are mounted on the rope (4); that one or more elements (9) for chain attachment may be present between the end piece (7) and the washer (6).
     
    2. The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to claim 1, characterized in that it has the washer (6) installed in the lower part of the accessory (3a) with the help of at least one or more springs, which hold the washer (6) at a distance from the pushing element (5); that when the accessory (7a) of the end piece (7) pushes the washer (6), the pushing element (5) is pushed into the end switch (10), which terminates winding of the rope (4) onto the drum.
     
    3. The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to claim 1, characterized in that it has the washer (6) mounted on the pushing element (5), the washer (6) being pushed by the accessory (7a) of the end piece (7) when the pulling rope (4) is in its utmost position, which also pushes the element (5) into the end switch (10) and causes termination of winding of the rope (4) onto the drum.
     
    4. The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to claim 1, characterized in that it has the accessory (7a) of the end piece (7) shaped in such a way that in the utmost position of the pulling rope (4) the accessory (7a) pushes the element (5) into the end switch (10), which terminates winding of the rope (4); that the accessory (7a) may be shaped in any shape, preferably the shape is oval, round or rectangular, and the dimensions are such that they enable the element (5) to be pushed.
     
    5. The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end switch is any switching element such as a position sensor, preferably an inductive sensor, mechanically controlled valve or any other element, which causes a switch in the status of a hydraulic or electric circuit of the drum from a turned on status to a turned off status.
     
    6. The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism for switching off winding of a rope is installed on winches with electric, hydraulic or mechanic control of pulling rope winding and unwinding function, and with or without an unwinding cable for unwinding the rope from the drum.
     
    7. The winch with a safety mechanism for switching off winding of a rope according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism for switching off winding of a rope is installed on the upper or the lower cable.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Eine Winde mit einem Sicherheitsmechanismus zum Unterbrechen der Seilaufwicklung, wobei ein Endteil eines Zugseils in seiner Endposition unmittelbar oder mittelbar über einen Zwischenteil die Verschiebung eines Endschalters bewirkt, der den Antrieb der Trommel mit dem Seil stoppt, während auf dem Außenteil des Windengehäuses eine Konsole (1) mit einem Gehäuse (2a) der Abwickelrolle (2) drehbar um die vertikale Achse montiert ist; dass am Gehäuse (2a) mit der Rolle (2) eine Halterung einer Führung (3) des Zugseils (4) drehbar um die horizontale Achse angebracht ist; dass an dem Halter der Führung (3) ein Gehäuse (10a) mit einem Endschalter (10) und einer Führung (5a) mit einem Schiebeelement (5) montiert ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Schiebeelement sich innerhalb der Reichweite einer Seite (6b) einer Unterlegscheibe (6) befindet und mit einem Bodenteil (6a) drehbar in der Achse (3a') eines Zubehörteils (3a) angeordnet ist; dass die Seite (6b) der Unterlegscheibe (6) in der Mitte eine Öffnung (6b') aufweist, durch die das Zugseil (4) gleitet; dass die Öffnung (6b') jede Form aufweisen kann, vorzugsweise eine runde oder eine ovale Form aufweist; dass ein Endstück (7) mit einem Zubehörteil (7a) auf der Seite der Unterlegscheibe (6) und eine Klemme (8) für die Kette auf dem Seil (4) angebracht sind; dass ein oder mehr Elemente (9) zur Kettenbefestigung zwischen dem Endstück (7) und der Unterlegscheibe (6) vorhanden sein können.
     
    2. Die Winde mit einem Sicherheitsmechanismus zum Unterbrechen der Seilaufwicklung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie die Unterlegscheibe (6) im unteren Teil des Zubehörteils (3a) aufweist, die mit Hilfe mindestens einer oder mehrerer Federn installiert ist, die die Unterlegscheibe (6) in einem Abstand vom Schiebeelement (5) halten; dass, wenn das Zubehörteil (7a) des Endstücks (7) die Unterlegscheibe (6) verschiebt, das Schiebeelement (5) in den Endschalter (10) gedrückt ist, der die Aufwicklung des Seils (4) auf die Trommel unterbricht.
     
    3. Die Winde mit einem Sicherheitsmechanismus zum Unterbrechen der Seilaufwicklung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie die Unterlegscheibe (6) auf dem Schiebeelement (5) installiert hat, wobei die Unterlegscheibe (6) durch das Zubehörteil (7a) des Endstückes (7) gedrückt ist, wenn sich das Zugseil (4) in seiner äußersten Position befindet, was auch das Element (5) in den Endschalter (10) drückt und die Aufwicklung des Seils (4) auf die Trommel unterbricht.
     
    4. Die Winde mit einem Sicherheitsmechanismus zum Unterbrechen der Seilaufwicklung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Zubehörteil (7a) des Endstücks (7a) derart geformt ist, dass in der äußersten Position des Zugseil (4) das Zubehörteil (7a) das Element (5) in den Endschalter (10) schiebt, was die Aufwicklung des Seils (4) unterbricht; dass das Zubehörteil (7a) in jeder Form vorkommen kann, vorzugsweise in ovaler, runder oder rechteckiger Form, und die Abmessungen derart sind, dass sie die Verschiebung des Elements (5) ermöglichen.
     
    5. Die Winde mit einem Sicherheitsmechanismus zum Unterbrechen der Seilaufwicklung nach irgendeinem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Endschalter irgendein Schaltelement sein kann, so wie ein Positionssensor, vorzugsweise ein induktiver Sensor, ein mechanisch gesteuertes Ventil oder ein anderes Element, das ein Umschalten des Zustands der hydraulischen oder elektrischen Schaltung der Trommel von einem Ein- in einen Ausschaltzustand bewirkt.
     
    6. Die Winde mit einem Sicherheitsmechanismus zum Unterbrechen der Seilaufwicklung nach irgendeinem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Mechanismus zum Abschalten der Seilaufwicklung auf Winden mit elektrischer, hydraulischer oder mechanischer Kontrolle der Zugseilsaufwicklung- und Zugseilabwicklungfunktion angebracht ist und mit oder ohne Abwickelseil zur Seilabwicklung des Seils von der Trommel.
     
    7. Die Winde mit einem Sicherheitsmechanismus zum Unterbrechen der Seilaufwicklung nach irgendeinem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Mechanismus zum Abschalten der Seilaufwicklung am oberen oder unteren Seil installiert ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Un treuil doté d'un mécanisme de sécurité permettant d'arrêter l'enroulement d'un câble, dans lequel une extrémité d'un câble de traction se trouvant dans sa position finale provoque, directement ou indirectement, par le biais d'une partie intermédiaire, le déplacement d'un interrupteur de fin de course, qui arrête l'entraînement d'un tambour avec le câble, alors que sur la partie extérieure du boîtier du treuil une console (1) avec un boîtier (2a) d'une poulie de déroulement (2) est monté en rotation autour de l'axe vertical ; en ce que sur le boîtier (2a) avec la poulie (2) un support d'un guide (3) du câble de traction (4) est monté en rotation autour de l'axe horizontal ; en ce que sur le support du guide (3), un boîtier (10a) est monté avec un interrupteur de fin de course (10) et un guide (5a) avec un élément de poussée (5), caractérisé en ce que l'élément de poussée se trouve dans la portée d'un côté (6b) d'une rondelle (6), une partie inférieure (6a) étant montée en rotation dans l'axe (3a') de l'accessoire (3a) ; que le côté (6b) de la rondelle (6) présente en son centre une ouverture (6b'), à travers laquelle le câble de traction (4) glisse ; que l'ouverture (6b') peut avoir n'importe quelle forme, qu'elle a de préférence une forme ronde ou ovale ; qu'une pièce d'extrémité (7) avec un accessoire (7a) sur le côté de la rondelle (6) et une pince (8) pour la chaîne sont montées sur le câble (4) ; en ce qu'un ou plusieurs éléments (9) pour la fixation de la chaîne peuvent être présents entre la pièce d'extrémité (7) et la rondelle (6).
     
    2. Le treuil doté d'un mécanisme de sécurité permettant d'arrêter l'enroulement d'un câble selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte la rondelle (6) installée dans la partie inférieure de l'accessoire (3a) à l'aide d'au moins un ou plusieurs ressorts, qui maintiennent la rondelle (6) à une certaine distance de l'élément de poussée (5) ; que lorsque l'accessoire (7a) de la pièce d'extrémité (7) pousse la rondelle (6), l'élément de poussée (5) est poussé dans l'interrupteur de fin de course (10), qui interrompt l'enroulement du câble (4) sur le tambour.
     
    3. Le treuil doté d'un mécanisme de sécurité permettant d'arrêter l'enroulement d'un câble selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte la rondelle (6) montée sur l'élément de poussée (5), la rondelle (6) étant poussée par l'accessoire (7a) de la pièce d'extrémité (7) lorsque le câble de traction (4) se trouve dans sa position extrême, ce qui pousse également l'élément (5) dans l'interrupteur de fin de course (10) et provoque l'arrêt de l'enroulement du câble (4) sur le tambour.
     
    4. Le treuil doté d'un mécanisme de sécurité permettant d'arrêter l'enroulement d'un câble selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte l'accessoire (7a) de la pièce d'extrémité (7) formée de telle sorte que, dans la position extrême du câble de traction (4), l'accessoire (7a) pousse l'élément (5) dans l'interrupteur de fin de course (10), qui interrompt l'enroulement du câble (4) ; en ce que l'accessoire (7a) peut avoir n'importe quelle forme, la forme étant de préférence ovale, ronde ou rectangulaire, et les dimensions sont telles qu'elles permettent à l'élément (5) d'être poussé.
     
    5. Le treuil doté d'un mécanisme de sécurité permettant d'arrêter l'enroulement d'un câble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'interrupteur de fin de course est un élément quelconque comme un capteur de position, de préférence un capteur inductif, une soupape à commande mécanique ou tout autre élément qui provoque une commutation de l'état dans un circuit hydraulique ou électrique du tambour et fait passer de l'état de marche à l'état hors tension.
     
    6. Le treuil doté d'un mécanisme de sécurité permettant d'arrêter l'enroulement d'un câble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de mise hors tension de l'enroulement du câble est installé sur des treuils avec commande électrique, hydraulique ou mécanique de la fonction d'enroulement et de déroulement du câble de traction, et avec ou sans câble de déroulement pour dérouler la corde du tambour.
     
    7. Le treuil doté d'un mécanisme de sécurité permettant d'arrêter l'enroulement d'un câble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme pour arrêter l'enroulement du câble est installé sur le câble supérieur ou inférieur.
     




    Drawing








    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description