Chain length detection device

Abstract

The application provides a chain length detection device, comprising: a support; a fixing mechanism installed on the support, used for fixing two ends of a chain to be measured during measurement; a tensioning mechanism connected with the fixing mechanism, used for driving a sliding part of the fixing mechanism to move to tension the chain to be measured; and a non-contact distance measuring mechanism installed on the support, used for measuring a displacement of the tensioning mechanism and obtaining a length of the chain to be measured according to the displacement. The application has high measurement efficiency and is easy to operate: a special tensioning mechanism and a non-contact distance measuring mechanism are arranged to replace a traditional vernier caliper manual measurement method. An operator only needs to hang the chain on the fixing mechanism, rotate a hand wheel to tension the chain, and then directly read a length value from a display, thereby omitting manual positioning, caliper measurement, reading and calculation and other cumbersome steps, greatly improving the measurement efficiency and fully meeting the production rhythm demand of a modern assembly line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of chain length measurement technology, specifically to a chain length detection device. Background Technology

[0002] As a crucial component of asphalt mixing equipment, the manufacturing and assembly precision of the double-ring chain hoist directly impacts the asphalt mixture output. The ring chain, being the basic structural element of the hoist, has a direct influence on its operation after assembly: if the chain is too long, exceeding the tensioning mechanism's adjustment range, the hoist will malfunction; if the chain is too short, the chain end will not connect properly. Furthermore, the length difference between two chains at the same location must be controlled within 0.1% of the total chain length. Before installation, the hoist chain lengths must be measured and matched.

[0003] The traditional measurement method involves fully extending the chain, securing it to the inside of the circular links with cylindrical pins, and then measuring the center distance between the two pins with calipers to determine the chain length. This method is labor-intensive, inefficient, and difficult to meet assembly requirements. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, this application aims to provide a chain length detection device, comprising: support; A fixing mechanism, mounted on the bracket, is used to fix both ends of the chain to be measured during measurement; The tensioning mechanism is connected to the fixing mechanism and is used to drive the sliding part of the fixing mechanism to move so as to tension the chain to be tested; A non-contact ranging mechanism is mounted on the bracket to measure the displacement of the tensioning mechanism and to obtain the length of the chain under test based on the displacement.

[0005] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the fixing mechanism includes: The upper pin is fixedly mounted on the front of the bracket and is used to support and fix the upper ring chain of the chain to be tested. The lower end pin, which is the sliding part, is located on the tensioning mechanism and is used to support and fix the lower end ring of the chain to be tested.

[0006] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the tensioning mechanism includes: A sliding assembly is slidably mounted on the bracket via a linear guide element, and the lower end pin is located on the sliding assembly; The adjusting screw has one end threadedly connected to the sliding assembly, and the other end rotatably mounted on the vertical bearing seat on the bracket; A handwheel is located at the end of the adjusting screw.

[0007] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the linear guide element consists of two sets of parallel linear slide rails, the linear slide rails are fixed to the back of the bracket, and the sliding component is fixed to the slider of the linear slide rails.

[0008] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, nuts are welded to both sides of the upper plane of the sliding component, and the adjusting screw is threadedly connected to the nuts.

[0009] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the non-contact ranging mechanism is a laser ranging mechanism.

[0010] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the laser ranging mechanism includes: The laser rangefinder probe is mounted on the top of the bracket via a mounting base and aligned with the tensioning mechanism; A laser rangefinder display, electrically connected to the laser rangefinder probe, is used to display the measured length of the chain under test.

[0011] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the fixing base is installed on the bracket through an elongated hole, and the installation position of the laser rangefinder probe is adjustable.

[0012] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the facade of the sliding component is fixedly connected to the slider of the linear guide element by bolts.

[0013] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the end of the adjusting screw connected to the vertical bearing seat is an optical axis section, and the optical axis section is axially fixed by a set screw.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: High measurement efficiency and simple operation: This utility model replaces the traditional manual measurement method using vernier calipers by setting up a dedicated tensioning mechanism and a non-contact distance measuring mechanism. The operator only needs to hang the chain on the fixed mechanism, turn the handwheel to tension the chain, and can directly read the length value from the display. This eliminates the tedious steps of manual positioning, caliper measurement, reading and calculation, greatly improving measurement efficiency and fully meeting the production cycle requirements of modern assembly lines.

[0015] High measurement accuracy and reliable results: First, the non-contact ranging mechanism (such as laser ranging) itself has high precision characteristics, avoiding human reading errors. Second, the tensioning mechanism ensures that the chain is tensioned to the same state in each measurement, eliminating measurement errors caused by chain slack or inconsistent manual tensioning. This allows this invention to easily achieve the precise matching requirement of controlling the length difference between two chains within 0.1% of the chain length, fundamentally guaranteeing the assembly accuracy and subsequent operational stability of the double-ring chain elevator.

[0016] High versatility and multi-purpose: The core measurement principle of this invention is to indirectly obtain the chain length by measuring the displacement of the tensioning mechanism. Therefore, as long as both ends of the chain can be reliably fixed on the upper and lower pins, this device can be used to detect the length of chain links of different specifications and pitches, making it far more versatile than special inspection tools designed for specific chains.

[0017] Compact structure and good stability: The device integrates the three major functional modules of fixing, tensioning, and distance measurement onto a stable support, forming an independent testing fixture. This structure not only occupies a small area, making it easy to set up in the workshop, but also has good overall rigidity and strong anti-interference ability, ensuring the stability of the measurement benchmark under long-term repeated use, thereby ensuring the consistency and accuracy of the measurement results.

[0018] Reduced labor intensity and improved safety: The device is simple to operate, eliminating the need for repeated use of heavy tools and strenuous manual measurement and tensioning, significantly reducing the labor intensity of operators. Furthermore, mechanical tensioning is more controllable than manual tensioning, reducing the safety risk of accidental chain slippage and injury. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the chain length detection device (front of the bracket, with the chain to be tested installed) provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the chain length detection device (back of the bracket, on which the chain to be tested is mounted) provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sliding component provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 A side view of the sliding component provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the upper pin structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the upper pin provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] The text labels in the image represent: 1. Bracket; 2. Chain to be tested; 3. Sliding assembly; 4. Adjusting screw; 5. Linear slide rail; 6. Vertical bearing seat; 7. Fixed seat; 8. Laser rangefinder probe; 9. Laser rangefinder display; 1-1. Upper pin; 1-2. Mounting boss; 3-1. Lower pin; 3-2. Nut. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0022] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] Example 1 As mentioned in the background section, in view of the problems in the prior art, this application proposes a chain length detection device, such as... Figure 1-6 As shown, it includes: Bracket 1; A fixing mechanism, installed on the bracket 1, is used to fix both ends of the chain 2 to be measured during measurement; The tensioning mechanism is connected to the fixing mechanism and is used to drive the sliding part of the fixing mechanism to move so as to tension the chain 2 to be tested; A non-contact ranging mechanism is installed on the bracket 1 to measure the displacement of the tensioning mechanism and obtain the length of the chain 2 to be measured based on the displacement.

[0024] Specifically, the support 1 is preferably a frame structure with sufficient rigidity and stability, such as being welded or bolted together from steel profiles. Its bottom may be provided with mounting holes or feet to ensure it remains stable and does not wobble during operation. The bottom of the support 1 has a rectangular structure with a vertical section perpendicular to it. The front of the vertical section is used to install the fixing mechanism, and the back is used to install most of the components of the tensioning mechanism, achieving functional zoning and a compact and reasonable structure.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the fixing mechanism includes: Upper pin 1-1, the upper pin 1-1 is fixedly disposed on the front of the bracket 1, and is used to support and fix the upper ring chain of the chain 2 to be tested; The lower pin 1-2 is the sliding part, which is provided on the tensioning mechanism and is used to support and fix the lower end ring chain of the chain 2 to be tested.

[0026] Specifically, the upper pin 1-1 is preferably rigidly fixed to the upper part of the front of the bracket 1 by means of interference fit or bolt tightening. Its axial direction should be parallel to the plane of the bracket 1 to ensure that the chain suspension is upright. The lower pin 1-2, as the sliding part of the fixing mechanism, is connected to the tensioning mechanism in the following way: the lower pin 1-2 is directly installed (e.g., by welding or pressing) on ​​the front of the sliding assembly 3. Therefore, the movement of the sliding assembly 3 will be directly and without hysteresis transmitted to the lower pin 1-2, ensuring the accuracy of displacement measurement.

[0027] Specifically, the vertical part of the bracket 1 is a rectangular structure with a hollow elongated through hole in the middle. The lower pin 1-2 passes through the rectangular through hole from the back of the bracket 1 and is then inserted into the ring at the bottom of the chain 2 to be tested, thus providing support.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the tensioning mechanism includes: The sliding component 3 is slidably mounted on the bracket 1 via a linear guide element, and the lower end pin 1-2 is provided on the sliding component 3; The adjusting screw 4 is threadedly connected at one end to the sliding component 3, and the other end is rotatably mounted on the vertical bearing seat 6 on the bracket 1; A handwheel is located at the end of the adjusting screw 4.

[0029] Specifically, the back of the bracket 1 is provided with two mounting bosses 1-2 distributed along the width direction for mounting the vertical bearing seat 6.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the linear guide element is two sets of parallel linear slide rails 5, the linear slide rails 5 are fixed to the back of the bracket 1, and the sliding component 3 is fixed to the slider of the linear slide rail 5.

[0031] Specifically, the linear guide element: its two sets of parallel arrangement ensure that the sliding component 3 will not deflect or jam during movement, and always maintain good linearity of movement, thereby ensuring measurement accuracy.

[0032] Sliding component 3: This is a component with both a vertical and a horizontal plane. Its vertical plane is connected to the slider of the linear guide rail 5 via bolts, enabling power transmission and guidance. Its upper plane serves as the measuring target surface of the laser rangefinder; this plane should be kept flat and perpendicular to the laser beam to reduce measurement errors. Nuts 3-2 welded to both sides form a high-pair connection with the adjusting screw 4, converting rotational motion into linear motion.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, nuts 3-2 are welded to both sides of the upper plane of the sliding component 3, and the adjusting screw 4 is threadedly connected to the nuts 3-2.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the non-contact ranging mechanism is a laser ranging mechanism.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the laser ranging mechanism includes: The laser rangefinder probe 8 is mounted on the top of the bracket 1 via the fixing base 7 and aligned with the tensioning mechanism; The laser rangefinder display 9 is electrically connected to the laser rangefinder probe 8 and is used to display the measured length of the chain 2 to be measured.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the fixing base 7 is mounted on the bracket 1 through an elongated hole, and the mounting position of the laser rangefinder probe 8 is adjustable.

[0037] Specifically, the mounting base 7 is installed on top of the bracket 1 through an elongated hole, allowing the mounting position of the laser rangefinder probe 8 to be adjusted vertically. This not only facilitates alignment with the upper plane of the sliding assembly 3 during initial installation, but more importantly, it provides the physical basis for zeroing and calibration of the device. By fine-tuning the height of the probe, mechanical manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for, ensuring the accuracy of the measurement system's reference. The optical axis of the laser rangefinder probe 8 should be as parallel as possible to the movement trajectory (i.e., the plumb line) of the sliding assembly 3 and aligned with the effective measurement area of ​​the upper plane of the sliding assembly 3.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the facade of the sliding component 3 is fixedly connected to the slider of the linear guide element by bolts.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the end of the adjusting screw 4 connected to the vertical bearing seat 6 is a light shaft section, which is axially fixed by a set screw.

[0040] Specifically, the end of the adjusting screw 4 connected to the vertical bearing housing 6 is machined with a smooth shaft section, which is installed in the inner hole of the vertical bearing housing 6. The set screw is screwed in from the side of the vertical bearing housing 6 and presses tightly against the surface of the smooth shaft section, thereby effectively preventing the adjusting screw 4 from axially moving during operation and ensuring the rigidity of the transmission chain and the accuracy of displacement control.

[0041] The core working principle of this invention is an indirect measurement method. Instead of directly measuring the outline length of the chain itself, it measures the tension span of the chain under a specific condition and then performs a system conversion to obtain the actual length of the chain.

[0042] The specific principle is as follows: Establish measurement reference: Fix the upper end of the chain link to a fixed upper pin 1-1. The center point of this pin constitutes the absolute reference point for measurement.

[0043] Creating a measurement vector: The lower link of the chain is attached to a vertically movable lower pin 1-2. Rotating the adjusting screw 4 drives the sliding assembly 3 downwards, thus tensioning the chain. When the chain is tensioned to its standard state (i.e., the chain is naturally straight, without slack or overstretch), the center distance between the upper and lower fixed pins constitutes a unique and repeatable measurement vector. The length of this vector has a definite correspondence with the actual length of the chain.

[0044] Displacement converted to length: The lower pin 1-2 is fixed to the sliding assembly 3, therefore the displacement of the sliding assembly 3 is directly equivalent to the displacement of the lower pin 1-2. The non-contact ranging mechanism (laser rangefinder) accurately measures the relative displacement of the sliding assembly 3 before and after tensioning, or its absolute position in the tensioned state. This displacement (or position data) plus a system inherent constant (which includes the initial distance between the upper pin 1-1 and the laser rangefinder probe 8, as well as mechanical structural parameters such as the radii of the upper and lower pins) allows the calculation of the actual chain length. This conversion relationship can be pre-calibrated and set within the rangefinder or display system via hardware or software, enabling the display to directly read the chain length value.

[0045] The testing process is described below: Preparation and suspension: The operator hangs and fixes the upper link of the chain to be tested 2 onto the upper pin 1-1 on the front of the bracket 1. The chain hangs down naturally under its own weight.

[0046] Initial connection: Hang the lower link of the chain on the lower pin 1-2. At this time, the chain is in a slack state because the sliding component 3 is in a higher position.

[0047] Tensioning the chain: The operator rotates the handwheel clockwise. The handwheel drives the adjusting screw 4 to rotate. Since the adjusting screw 4 is axially fixed by the vertical bearing seat 6, its rotational motion is converted into the linear downward movement of the sliding assembly 3 through the threaded pair (the adjusting screw 4 and the nut 3-2 on the sliding assembly 3). Under the precise guidance of the linear slide rail 5, the sliding assembly 3 moves smoothly downward, driving the lower end pin 1-2 to move downward as well, thereby gradually tensioning the chain.

[0048] Tensioning and Measurement Completed: Continue turning the handwheel until the chain is tensioned to the standard state (usually judged by experience or feeling, i.e., all links of the chain are straightened, with no visible slack). At this point, the laser rangefinder probe 8 emits a laser beam towards the upper surface of the sliding assembly 3 and receives the reflected signal, accurately measuring the instantaneous distance from the probe to the upper surface of the sliding assembly 3.

[0049] Reading and Recording: The laser rangefinder calculates the chain length directly from the measured distance data according to a pre-calibrated conversion relationship and displays it on the laser rangefinder's display 9. The operator records this value, thus completing the measurement of the length of a single chain.

[0050] Reset: Turn the handwheel counterclockwise to raise the sliding component 3 and the lower pin 1-2, releasing the tension of the chain, and then you can easily remove the chain that has been measured.

[0051] This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the methods and core ideas of this application. The above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of this application. It should be noted that due to the limitations of written expression, while there are objectively infinite specific structures, those skilled in the art can make several improvements, modifications, or changes without departing from the principles of this invention, and can also combine the above technical features in an appropriate manner. These improvements, modifications, changes, or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, should all be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A chain length detection device, characterized in that, include: Support (1); A fixing mechanism, installed on the bracket (1), is used to fix both ends of the chain (2) to be measured during measurement; The tensioning mechanism is connected to the fixing mechanism and is used to drive the sliding part of the fixing mechanism to move so as to tension the chain to be tested (2). A non-contact ranging mechanism is installed on the bracket (1) to measure the displacement of the tensioning mechanism and obtain the length of the chain (2) to be measured based on the displacement.

2. The chain length detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing mechanism includes: The upper pin (1-1) is fixedly disposed on the front of the bracket (1) and is used to support and fix the upper ring chain of the chain to be tested (2); The lower end pin (3-1) is the sliding part, which is provided on the tensioning mechanism and is used to support and fix the lower end ring chain of the chain to be tested (2).

3. The chain length detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The tensioning mechanism includes: The sliding assembly (3) is slidably mounted on the bracket (1) via a linear guide element, and the lower end pin (3-1) is located on the sliding assembly (3). The adjusting screw (4) is threadedly connected at one end to the sliding assembly (3), and the other end is rotatably mounted on the vertical bearing seat (6) on the bracket (1); A handwheel is located at the end of the adjusting screw (4).

4. The chain length detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The linear guide element consists of two sets of parallel linear slide rails (5), the linear slide rails (5) are fixed to the back of the bracket (1), and the sliding component (3) is fixed to the slider of the linear slide rail (5).

5. The chain length detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Nuts (3-2) are welded to both sides of the upper plane of the sliding component (3), and the adjusting screw (4) is threadedly connected to the nuts (3-2).

6. The chain length detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The non-contact ranging mechanism is a laser ranging mechanism.

7. The chain length detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The laser ranging mechanism includes: The laser rangefinder probe (8) is mounted on the top of the bracket (1) via a mounting base (7) and aligned with the tensioning mechanism; The laser rangefinder display (9) is electrically connected to the laser rangefinder probe (8) and is used to display the measured length of the chain (2) to be measured.

8. The chain length detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The mounting base (7) is installed on the bracket (1) through the elongated hole, and the installation position of the laser rangefinder probe (8) is adjustable.

9. The chain length detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The facade of the sliding component (3) is fixedly connected to the slider of the linear guide element by bolts.

10. The chain length detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end of the adjusting screw (4) connected to the vertical bearing seat (6) is the optical axis section, which is axially fixed by a set screw.

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