Systems and methods for spooling and unspooling linear material
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A reel apparatus comprising:
- a rotatable spool member configured to deploy a linear material as the spool member rotates in an unspooling direction;
a brake configured to oppose rotation of the spool member in the unspooling direction when the brake is engaged; and
a controller configured to vary a duty cycle of engagement of the brake from a first non-zero duty cycle to a second non-zero duty cycle while the rotatable member is deploying the linear material based on detecting a change in a pulling force applied to the linear material.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
96 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A reel apparatus comprising:
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a rotatable spool member configured to deploy a linear material as the spool member rotates in an unspooling direction; a brake configured to oppose rotation of the spool member in the unspooling direction when the brake is engaged; and a controller configured to vary a duty cycle of engagement of the brake from a first non-zero duty cycle to a second non-zero duty cycle while the rotatable member is deploying the linear material based on detecting a change in a pulling force applied to the linear material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A reel apparatus comprising:
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a spool member configured to deploy a linear material as the spool member rotates in an unspooling direction; and a motor configured to selectively rotate the spool member in the unspooling direction, and to operate at a motor duty cycle which depends on a rate of increase in a rotational velocity of the motor while the spool member is rotating in the unspooling direction, such that when the rotational velocity of the motor has a first non-zero rate of increase the motor operates at a first non-zero motor duty cycle and when the rotational velocity of the motor has a second non-zero rate of increase higher than the first rate of increase the motor operates at a second non-zero motor duty cycle that is greater than the first motor duty cycle, wherein the rotational velocity of the motor depends on a tension applied to the linear material.
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14. A reel apparatus comprising:
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a rotatable spool member configured to deploy a linear material as the spool member rotates in an unspooling direction; a motor configured to cause the spool member to rotate in the unspooling direction; and a controller configured to control the motor while the motor is causing the spool member to deploy the linear material, so as to vary a rotational velocity of the motor in the unspooling direction from a first non-zero rate to a second non-zero rate based on an indication of the rotational velocity of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A reel apparatus comprising:
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a rotatable spool member configured to deploy a linear material as the spool member rotates in an unspooling direction; a brake configured to resist rotation of the spool member in the unspooling direction when the brake is engaged; and a controller comprising a braking circuit configured to cause the brake to be engaged, the braking circuit configured to apply dynamic braking to cause the brake to prevent the linear material from unspooling due to gravity when a distal end of the linear material is unwound from the spool member and hanging above a surface below the spool member, wherein the apparatus is configured for mounting to a ceiling. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification