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The working principle and usage method of electric winches

2024-04-24

The working principle and usage method of electric winches

Working Principle

There are many types of winches, including electric winches, those driven by the mechanical power of a car engine, and those operated by hydraulic pumps. The most commonly used by off-roaders is the electric winch. The electric winch derives power from the car itself to drive the motor, which in turn drives the winch cable. This type of winch is very convenient because it can be operated from anywhere using the knob on the remote control. Its biggest advantage is that it can be used as long as the battery has power.

However, the power of the motor inside the winch is generally only a few horsepower. How can such a small power motor drag a heavy car or other heavy objects? The secret lies in the use of a reducer. Even if the motor can only produce a small force, the reducer can transform it into a powerful force. Different winch manufacturers utilize this principle to create different products.

Most winches on the market use planetary gears as reducers. The advantage of planetary gears is that they are relatively small in size while providing a relatively large reduction ratio, and they have more contact points, resulting in a longer service life. Winches are usually installed in relatively small spaces, so the smaller and lighter, the better. Planetary gears meet this requirement while also providing a large reduction ratio, making them ideal.

In simple terms, the internal working mechanism of the winch is as follows: the power from the car first drives the motor, which then drives the drum to rotate. The drum drives the drive shaft, which in turn drives the planetary gears, generating powerful torque. Subsequently, the torque is transmitted back to the drum, which drives the winch. There is a clutch between the motor and the reducer that can be switched on and off with a lever. The braking unit is inside the drum, and when the winch cable is taut, the drum automatically locks.

In practical use, some auxiliary items are essential for the safe and smooth operation of the winch, such as gloves to protect the hands. Additionally, if you want to secure the winch to a tree, you will need a strap, a U-shaped shackle, and a tension pulley. The strap is used to secure the anchor point, ideally 1.5 to 2.0 meters long; the U-shaped shackle connects the hook to the strap and the winch, so it's best to prepare several sizes of shackles; when using double or triple lines to change the pulling direction, a tension pulley is needed. The operation of the winch can be summarized in three steps: installation, securing the anchor point, and pulling.

Installation of the Winch

Using a winch certainly starts with installation. This step is not complicated, but it is the most important step because it directly affects the subsequent steps and the effectiveness of the winch. The most important thing here is to pay attention to the condition of the winch cable drum, ensuring that the cable is evenly wound before starting and throughout the use. The specific installation process is as follows:

1. Insert the remote control. Plug the remote control's connector into the winch.

2. Do not let the remote control cable hang down. If you are the driver operating the remote control from the driver's seat, it will be much more convenient to wrap the excess cable around the side mirror of the car.

3. Pull out the winch cable, use the remote control to release a bit of cable, and then open the winch hook mounted on the side of the winch.

4. Open the clutch. Note that you must open the hook before opening the clutch.

5. Hold the winch hook with your hand. When pulling the cable off the drum, hold the hook with one hand so that no matter how long you pull the cable, you can always reach the hook.

6. After pulling the cable to the anchor point, lock the clutch.

At this point, the winch is ready.

Securing the Anchor Point

If you want to pull the car forward, you must have a safe place to secure the anchor point, which must be able to bear the full weight of the car. The basic principle is to pull straight ahead in the direction of the car's movement, avoiding any angles. The most commonly used anchor point in off-road driving is a tree. However, if using the winch to rescue another stuck vehicle, the rescue vehicle can also serve as an anchor point, but in this case, the wheels must be blocked to prevent movement, ensuring that the rescue vehicle does not move.

Regardless of the type of winch used, without a safe anchor point, its potential cannot be fully realized. In other words, securing the anchor point is a crucial step when using a winch.

When using the winch, a strap is also needed to connect the winch, anchor point, winch hook, and U-shaped shackle. If the winch does not have enough power to drag heavy objects with a single line, a double line is needed to enhance its strength, which also requires a tension pulley.

Another point to note is that when using a tree as an anchor point, the widest part of the strap should be used to avoid damaging the tree bark, and the left and right ends of the strap must be tied to the sides of the shackle, with both sides of the strap being of equal length.

Starting to Pull

The specific steps for pulling with the winch are as follows:

1. First, check the drum. Before starting, ensure that the winch cable is neatly wound on the drum.

2. If the winch cable comes loose, prevent it from swinging back and forth. If the cable snaps, the swinging cable can be very dangerous. However, this danger can be avoided by placing a pad on the taut cable.

3. Start pulling. If you are pulling your own vehicle and need to drive while doing so, it is best to have someone outside the car to assist you. This way, the driver can operate the winch based on the commands of the person outside the car.

4. If the winch cable gets tangled, be sure to untangle it. The cable can easily cross or become uneven on one side when wound on the drum. Therefore, pay close attention to its condition.

5. When the vehicle can move freely, the pulling is complete. Once back on level ground, check the condition of the vehicle and the cable. If the vehicle can be driven without external force, the process of pulling with the winch is complete.

6. Roll up the winch cable. Tighten the cable and carefully return it. If the cable is crossed or twisted on the drum, it must be completely untangled before rewinding.

7. Finally, secure the hook. When only a little cable is left, tie the hook to the side of the winch. Then roll up the remaining cable and press the hook down.

8. Remove the remote control.

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