1WayBearing Winch

Introduced to the concept of a one-way bearing when watching another great video by Robery Murray Smith and decided to create a 3d printed version and then once I had basic design wanted to see if I could incorporate it into a small winch device suitable for string / fishing line, much like the one inch winch that I had previously created.

There are 13 STLs that are required to be printed, the 1WayBearingGearOuterPin needs 6 copies in total printed.  Designed with .4 nozzle and .20mm layer height in mind.  Objects are orientated in the correct printed direction, no supports needed.

Assembly diagram included to show exploded view.  

Have successfully printed in PLA and PLA+ (preferred), and successfully printed as one complete print with all parts (2h46min on MK3, 1h56min on X1C).  Included are 3mf files for both printers.

NOTE : Discovered (due to speed) that X1C was round corners too much for fitting frontcase with backcase and so had to reduce speeds to reduce roundedness.  Here is link to discussion on this issue and example change to settings to help resolve.

Assembly instructions

1. Slide BackCase into FrontCase (should be tight/snug but not impossible)
2. Place RearTurnRotor into RearTurnCase (align space between fins with case inner points)
3. Fit RearTurnCase to back of RearTurnCase (tight fit, might need force)
4. Place 1WayBearingGear into 1WayBearingBottomCase
5. Place 6 x 1WayBearingGearOuterPing in spacing between gear and bottomcase
6. Screw/Rotate 1WayBearingBottomCase into 1WayBearingTopCase (use FrontCentrePin as tool to turn bottomcase)
7. Place 1WayBearing down into arch/groove of BackCase. Note that 1WayBearingTopCase faces front.
8. Feed FrontCentrePin through FrontCase into 1WayBearing, push all way through so that groove for C-Clip is through to inner side of the FrontCase.
9. Place C-Clip over the FrontCentrePin (little bit of force required to squeeze it over)
10. Push RotatingBar into split hole of the handle (little bit of force needed)
11. Push Handle onto the square of the CentrePin
12. Take RearTurn and rotate clockwise into rear of the winch.  Turn until ratcheting engages and no further turning can be achieved)

Operation

• Clockwise operation of handle to be used to wind string/fishing line onto winch centre pin
• Anti-clockwise rotation of handle will be blocked by 1WayBearing
• To unwind string/fishing line, turn RearTurn anti-clockwise (without holding front handle) to loosen locked engagement with 1WayBearing

Design considerations

• Proof of concept for use of 3D printed 1WayBearing for winch functionality
• RearTurn knob evolved into ratcheting approach to avoid knob to be overly tightened to back case (to avoid impossible situation of needing brute force to then release)
• RearTurn pin required to stop entire 1WayBearing rotating when turning handle anti-clockwise.
• CentrePin has hole to provide seating of the RearTurn pin
• 1WayBearing works most of the time, but if handle is flicked quickly the bearing can skip the expected locking.  If used normally the pins in the gear will cause the expected lock to occur.

Future considerations

• Latching sound for winding operation of winch, use of 1WayBearing has eliminated the nice ratcheting/latching sound.

In some ways this is a novelty piece, especially so when printed in faux-gold filament :).  I haven't used myself in practical situation due to already using One Inch Winch.  Interested in other finding it useful or simply enjoying its construction.