Shift reel and related methods
Reel devices, systems, and related methods are disclosed. The reel devices are modular and include an automatic shift assembly that shifts to provide a mechanical advantage when used to tighten a cord. For instance, the reel devices are configured to provide a first drive ratio and automatically transition to a second drive ratio in response to a torque force. The reel devices include a drive assembly and a shift assembly. The drive assembly includes a cycloidal gear.
1. A reel device for tightening a cord, comprising:
a drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly comprises:
an upper member, wherein the upper member is rotatable in a first direction by a user;
a drive axle coupled to the upper member;
a lower member coupled to the upper member;
a pin gear coupled to the lower member;
a cycloidal gear coupled to the pin gear;
an outer gear coupled to the cycloidal gear; and
a spool, wherein rotation of the upper member in the first direction results in rotation of the spool in the first direction;
a shift assembly selectively coupled to the drive assembly; and
a clutch configured to allow the upper member to be rotated without rotation of the drive axle when a tension of the cord exceeds a threshold value;
wherein the shift assembly automatically transitions from a non-shifted configuration to a shifted configuration when a threshold torque force applied to the shift assembly is exceeded.
2. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein, when the shift assembly transitions from the non-shifted configuration to the shifted configuration, the drive assembly shifts from a first drive ratio to a first shifted drive ratio ranging from 2:1 to 150:1.
3. The reel device of claim 2 , wherein the drive assembly is modular such that one or more components of the drive assembly is replaceable to achieve a second shifted drive ratio different from the first shifted drive ratio.
4. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein the shift assembly comprises:
a base removably coupled to the upper member; and
a shift member rotatably coupled to the base and configured to engage with the lower member when the shift assembly is in the shifted configuration.
5. The reel device of claim 4 , wherein the lower member is non-rotatable relative to the upper member when the shift assembly is in the shifted configuration.
6. The reel device of claim 4 , wherein the shift assembly further comprises a torque control member configured to restrain the shift member from transitioning from the non-shifted configuration to the shifted configuration until the threshold torque force is exceeded.
7. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein the outer gear comprises:
a plurality of inner recesses disposed between a plurality of inner lobes,
wherein the plurality of inner recesses receive a plurality of lobes of the cycloidal gear, and
wherein the outer gear is rotatable by the cycloidal gear around the longitudinal axis of the drive axle, and
wherein a number of recesses of the outer gear is greater than a number of lobes of the cycloidal gear by at least one.
8. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a height of the reel device to the cycloidal gear ranges from 5:1 to 20:1.
9. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein the reel device is coupled to an adjustable member.
10. The reel device of claim 9 , wherein the adjustable member is any one of a prosthetic device, an orthotic device, a shoe, a boot, and an apparel member.
11. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly is rotatable in a first direction to tighten the cord and is prevented from rotating in a second direction when the reel device is in non-shifted and shifted configurations absent reverse rotation by a user.
12. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein the upper member can be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to uptake the cord.
13. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein the shift assembly automatically de-shifts when a torque force applied to the shift assembly is less than the threshold torque force.