CABLE WINCH FOR AN AIRCRAFT OR VEHICLE, AND METHOD FOR CHECKING A CABLE WINCH FOR AN AIRCRAFT OR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable winch (100) for an aircraft or vehicle. The cable winch (100) has a central module (110), which can be or is attached to the aircraft or vehicle. The central module (110) is shaped in such a way that the central module can he or is mechanically connected to at least one further module (120, 130, 150, 160) of the cable winch (100) in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device. The cable winch (100) also has a capstan drive module (120) for drawing a cable into the cable winch (100) and for letting the cable out of the cable winch (100). The capstan drive module (120) is shaped in such a way that the capstan drive module can be or is mechanically connected to the central module (110) in a manually detachable manner by using the at least one fastening device. The cable winch (100) also has a cable-winding module (130) for holding the cable by winding and unwinding the cable. The cable-winding module (130) is shaped in such a way that the cable-winding module can be or is mechanically connected to the central module (110) in a manually detachable manner by using the at least one fastening device.

Claims

1. A cable winch for an aircraft or vehicle, the cable winch comprising: a central module, which can be or is attached to the aircraft or vehicle, wherein the central module is shaped in such a way that the central module can be or is mechanically connected to at least one further module of the cable winch in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device; a capstan drive module for drawing a cable into the cable winch and for letting the cable out of the cable winch, wherein the capstan drive module is shaped in such a way that the capstan drive module can be or is mechanically connected to the central module in a manually detachable manner by using the at least one fastening device; and a cable-winding module for holding the cable by winding and unwinding the cable, wherein the cable-winding module is shaped in such a way that the cable-winding module can be or is mechanically connected to the central module in a manually detachable manner by using the at least one fastening device.

2. The cable winch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central module and the capstan drive module are shaped in such a way that the central module and the capstan drive module can be or are connected positively to one another, wherein the central module and the cable-winding module are shaped in such a way that the central module and the cable-winding module can be or are connected positively to one another.

3. The cable winch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening device has quick fastening means for quick connection of the modules.

4. The cable winch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central module can be or is arranged between the capstan drive module and the cable-winding module.

5. The cable winch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central module has at least one cable-guiding section, which is designed to guide a cable of the cable winch in at least one cable channel through the central module, wherein the central module has a cable entry section, in which the cable enters the cable winch and/or emerges from the cable winch.

6. The cable winch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a load hook module, which is shaped in such a way that the load hook module can be or is mechanically connected to a cable of the cable winch in a manually detachable manner.

7. The cable winch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a braking resistance module, which is shaped in such a way that the braking resistance module can be or is mechanically connected to the central module in a manually detachable manner by using the at least one fastening device.

8. The cable winch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control module, which is shaped in such a way that the control module can be or is mechanically connected to the central module in a manually detachable manner by using the at least one fastening device.

9. The cable winch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control module is designed to carry out a fault diagnosis on the modules of the cable winch.

10. The cable winch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modules that can be or are connected to the central module can be or are connected to the central module in such a way that they can be detached manually from the central module independently of one another.

11. A method for checking a cable winch for an aircraft or vehicle, wherein the method has the following step: carrying out a fault diagnosis in respect of the cable winch, wherein the cable winch has a central module, which can be or is attached to the aircraft or vehicle, and at least one further module, wherein the central module and the at least one further module are shaped in such a way that the central module and the at least one further module can be or are mechanically connected to one another in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device, wherein the step of carrying out the fault diagnosis is carried out in order to detect a fault and to determine whether the detected fault has occurred in the central module or the at least one further module.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a step of reading in a test assignment signal, which represents a command for carrying out the fault diagnosis, from an interface with a user input device.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a step of making available a test result signal, which represents a result of the fault diagnosis, to an interface with a user input device.

14. An apparatus which is designed to carry out, control and/or implement the steps of a method as claimed in claim 11 in corresponding devices.

15. A computer program product comprising program code for carrying out a method as claimed in claim 11 when the program product is carried out on an apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a cable winch according to one illustrative embodiment; and

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a method for checking according to one illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Before illustrative embodiments are discussed, basic principles and background information relating to the present invention will first of all be presented. In the case of electric cable winches, especially rescue winches, a capstan drive and a cable drum for winding and unwinding the winch cable are provided, for example. Here, the capstan drive assumes the task of transmitting the forces caused by a load on the hook, for example, wherein the cable drum winds and unwinds the cable with a relatively low tensile force.

[0042] In the following description of advantageous illustrative embodiments of the present invention, identical or similar reference signs are used for the elements with a similar action illustrated in the various figures, wherein repeated description of these elements is dispensed with.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a cable winch 100 according to one illustrative embodiment. In this case, the cable winch 100 is shown in an exploded view in relation to a module plane. The cable winch 100 is provided or designed for mounting on an aircraft or vehicle, in particular for mounting on a helicopter. According to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cable winch 100 is an electric rescue winch, in particular for helicopters. In the exploded illustration in FIG. 1, the cable winch 100 is shown without an associated cable or winch cable, purely for reasons of illustration.

[0044] The cable winch 100 is of modular construction. In this case, the cable winch 100 has a central module 110. The central module 110 is designed or shaped in such a way that the central module is or will be attached to a supporting structure of the aircraft or vehicle. The central module 110 is also embodied as a mounting base for further modules of the cable winch 100. In this case, the central module 110 is shaped in such a way that the central module is or will be mechanically connected to at least one further module 110 of the cable winch in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device.

[0045] The cable winch 100 furthermore has a capstan drive module 120. The capstan drive module 120 is designed to draw in a winch cable of the cable winch 100 into the cable winch 100 and to lift said cable out of the cable winch 100. The capstan drive module 120 is also shaped in such a way that the capstan drive module can be or is or will be mechanically connected to the central module 110 in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device. Thus, the capstan drive module 120 and the central module 110 are embodied in such a way that they can be mechanically connected to one another in a manually detachable manner. In particular, the central module 110 and the capstan drive module 120 are shaped in such a way here that the central module and the capstan drive module can be or are connected positively to one another.

[0046] The cable winch 100 also has a cable-winding module 130. In this case, the cable-winding module 130 has a cable drum, for example. The cable-winding module 130 is designed to hold a winch cable of the cable winch 100 by winding and unwinding the cable. The cable-winding module 130 is also shaped in such a way that the cable-winding module can be or is or will be mechanically connected to the central module 110 in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device. Thus, the cable-winding module 130 and the central module 110 are embodied in such a way here that they can be mechanically connected to one another in a manually detachable manner. In particular, the central module 110 and cable-winding module 130 are shaped in such a way that the central module and the cable-winding module can be or are connected positively to one another.

[0047] According to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the central module 110 is arranged between the capstan drive module 120 and the cable-winding module 130. In a state in which they are mechanically connected to one another, the central module 110, the capstan drive module 120 and the cable-winding module 130 form a subunit of the cable winch 100.

[0048] The central module 110 has at least one cable-guiding section 112. The at least one cable-guiding section 112 is designed to guide a cable of the cable winch 100 in at least one cable channel through the central module 110. In particular, a winch cable of the cable winch 110 can be guided through the central module 110 by means of the at least one cable-guiding section 112 in at least one cable channel between the capstan drive module 120 and the cable-winding module 130. In this case, the cable-guiding section 112 can have at least one cable pulley, deflection pulley, unseating prevention device and/or the like.

[0049] The central module 110 furthermore has a cable entry section 114. In the cable entry section 114, the cable enters the cable winch 100 and leaves the cable winch 100. In other words, the cable entry section 114 is designed to act as a cable entry and cable exit of the cable winch 100.

[0050] In a mounted state of the cable winch 100, a cable or winch cable of the cable winch 100 extends along a cable path between the cable entry section 114 and the cable-winding module 130. When viewed from the cable entry section 114, the cable path extends along a first cable channel through the central module 110, from the central module 110 to the capstan drive module 120, from the capstan drive module 120 back to the central module 110, along a second cable channel through the central module 110 and from the central module 110 to the cable-winding module 130.

[0051] The cable winch 100 furthermore has a load hook module 140. The load hook module 140 is shaped in such a way that the load hook module can be or is or will be mechanically connected to a cable of the cable winch 100 in a manually detachable manner. In this case, the load hook module 140 can be fastened to a free end of the cable. In the exploded illustration in FIG. 1, the load hook module 140 is arranged adjacent to the central module 110, to be more precise adjacent to the cable entry section 114 of the central module 110.

[0052] Furthermore, the cable winch 100 has a braking resistance module 150. The braking resistance module 150 is shaped in such a way that the braking resistance module can be or is or will be mechanically connected to the central module 110 in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device. In addition or as an alternative, the braking resistance module 150 can be shaped in such a way that the braking resistance module can be or is or will be attached to some other module of the cable winch 100 and/or to the aircraft or vehicle.

[0053] The cable winch 100 also has a control module 160 or controller 160. Here, the control module 160 is designed to control operation of the cable winch 100. The control module 160 is shaped in such a way that the control module can be or is or will be mechanically connected to the central module 110 in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device. In addition or as an alternative, the control module 160 can be shaped in such a way that the control module can be or is or will be attached to some other module of the cable winch 100 and/or to the aircraft or vehicle.

[0054] According to one illustrative embodiment, the control module 160 is designed to carry out a fault diagnosis on the modules of the cable winch 100, i.e. on the central module 110, the capstan drive module 120, the cable-winding module 130, the braking resistance module 150 and the control module 160 itself.

[0055] According to one illustrative embodiment, the at least one fastening device can have quick fastening means for quick connection of the modules. In particular, the at least one fastening device can have quick fastening means for quickly connecting the central module 110 to the capstan drive module 120 and to the cable-winding module 130. As an option, the at least one fastening device can also have quick fastening means for quick mounting of the load hook module 140, the braking resistance module 150 and the control module 160.

[0056] In particular, according to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cable winch 100 is embodied in a modular manner in such a way that the modules 120, 130, 150 and 160, which can be connected to the central module 110 or to some other module of the cable winch 100, can be removed manually from the cable winch 100 individually or independently of one another. Thus, particularly the modules 120, 130, 150 and 160, which can be connected to the central module 110, can be or are connected to the central module 110 in such a way that they can be detached manually from the central module 110 independently of one another.

[0057] In other words and by way of summary, the cable winch 100 or electric rescue winch 100 according to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is constructed, purely by way of example, from six modules 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 which can be removed and exchanged individually. This ensures that the cable winch 100 can be repaired and recertified within a short time. In order to allow easy exchangeability of individual modules, in particular the capstan drive module 120, the cable-winding module 130 and the load hook module 140, these are mounted by means of positive engagement on the central module 110 or, in the case of the load hook module 140, on the cable and are secured by means of quick fastening means. The controller 160 and the braking resistance module 150 are likewise designed for easy exchangeability but, in this case, positive engagement is not required since the forces transmitted are not usually large. Each exchangeable module 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 is independently testable and certifiable, and therefore the modules 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 can be produced and sold as spare parts in compliance with air transport regulations. In the event of a fault, these modules 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 can be repaired and recertified for reuse by an authorized servicing operation, for example.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a method 200 for checking according to one illustrative embodiment. The method 200 can be carried out to check a cable winch for an aircraft or vehicle. In this case, the method 200 for checking can be carried out in conjunction with or using the cable winch in FIG. 1 or a similar cable winch.

[0059] In particular, the control module or controller of the cable winch in FIG. 1 is designed here to carry out, control and/or implement the steps of the method 200 for checking in corresponding devices or a corresponding apparatus.

[0060] The method 200 for checking has a step 210 of carrying out a fault diagnosis relating to the cable winch. Here, the cable winch that can be checked by carrying out the method 200 has a central module, which can be or is attached to the aircraft or vehicle, and at least one further module. The central module and the at least one further module are shaped in such a way that the central module and the at least one further module can be or are mechanically connected to one another in a manually detachable manner by using at least one fastening device. In this case, the step 210 of carrying out the fault diagnosis is carried out to detect a fault and to determine whether the detected fault has occurred in the central module or the at least one further module.

[0061] According to one illustrative embodiment, the method 200 for checking also has a step 220 of reading in a test assignment signal from an interface with a user input device. Here, the test assignment signal represents a command for carrying out the fault diagnosis. The user input device can be arranged outside the cable winch, for example. In the step 220 of reading in, the test assignment signal is read in via a wireless interface, for example. The step 220 of reading in can be carried out before the step 210 of carrying out the fault diagnosis. Moreover, the method 200 for checking according to one illustrative embodiment has a step 230 of making available a test result signal to the interface or to a further interface, in particular a wireless interface, with the user input device. Here, the test result signal represents a result of the fault diagnosis, in particular in the form of result data. The step 230 of making the result available can be carried out after the step 210 of carrying out the fault diagnosis.

[0062] According to one illustrative example, the step 210 of carrying out the fault diagnosis can be carried out at regular intervals using a preset value, for example. In addition or alternatively, the step 210 of carrying out the fault diagnosis can be carried out in response to a signal, e.g. a test assignment signal that has been read in.

[0063] In other words and by way of summary, a fault diagnosis at the module level is made possible, wherein the controller of the cable winch can have a test program or the like which assists fault diagnosis and can indicate a faulty module. An operator interface or user interface for servicing personnel can likewise be provided. This operator interface can be suitable for running on commercially available notebooks or tablets, for example, and can communicate with the controller of the cable winch by USB or by Wi-Fi.

[0064] The illustrative embodiments described and shown in the figures are chosen purely by way of example. Different illustrative embodiments can be combined with one another fully or in respect of individual features. It is also possible for one illustrative embodiment to be supplemented by features of another illustrative embodiment.

[0065] Furthermore, method steps according to the invention can be repeated and carried out in a sequence other than that described.

[0066] If an illustrative embodiment comprises an and/or conjunction between a first feature and a second feature, this should be read in such a way that the illustrative embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature according to one embodiment and either only the first feature or only the second feature according to another embodiment.

[0067] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.