Link chain with improved breaking force

Abstract

The invention relates to a link chain (1) for use in particular in mining, produced from steel, comprising horizontal links (3) and vertical links (2) which engage in one another alternatingly as chain links, wherein the horizontal links (3) and vertical links (2) each have limbs (4) which extend in parallel with one another and which are interconnected via rounded portions (5), wherein the vertical links (2) are reduced in height (19) in the cross-section of the limbs (4) thereof, characterised in that the centre of the rounded portion (5) of the vertical links (2) has a cross-section that deviates by more than 5% from the cross-section of the centre of the rounded portion (6) of the horizontal link (3) and / or in that the cross-section of the centre of the rounded portion (5) of the vertical link (2) has a depth (15) in the chain longitudinal direction (L) that is at least 8% smaller than the width (16) transverse to the chain longitudinal direction (L).

Description

[0001] LINK CHAIN ​​WITH IMPROVED BREAKING STRENGTH

[0002] The present invention relates to a link chain for use in particular in mining, made of steel according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] It is known from the prior art to provide link chains; in particular, individual chain links are made of steel or a steel alloy. The individual chain links are made, for example, from a single round steel bar and bent into an oval-shaped chain link. The chain link then has two opposing legs spaced parallel to each other. The legs are connected at their respective ends by a so-called curve. The result is a continuous chain link that has an approximately oval contour when viewed from above.

[0004] The individual chain links mesh with each other. The chain then runs in a single strand, especially when used in mining technology. The chain is driven by a sprocket. In particular, the horizontal links mesh with the teeth of the sprocket, thereby transmitting a corresponding tensile force in the longitudinal direction of the chain.

[0005] In the course of ongoing optimization and specialization, such known chain links or round steel chain links have been further developed. In particular, the individual chain links are divided into horizontal links and vertical links. A vertical link is the link that is arranged vertically upright, followed by a horizontal link. This horizontal link is essentially oriented horizontally, or horizontally, followed by an upright chain link, i.e., a vertical link, followed by a horizontal link, and so on.

[0006] It is known from the prior art that the legs divide the tensile force to be transmitted in the longitudinal direction of the chain, meaning that approximately half of the tensile force is transmitted via each leg. As a result, the cross-sectional area of ​​the legs can be reduced without being able to transmit a lower tensile force.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a link chain which is improved in terms of the test and / or breaking force to be achieved compared to chains known from the prior art, while at the same time being simpler to manufacture, using less material and having a lower dead weight of the link chain.

[0008] The above-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention in a link chain for use, in particular in mining, with the features in claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] The link chain, in particular, comprises horizontal links and vertical links, which alternately interlock as chain links. The horizontal links and vertical links themselves each have parallel legs, which are connected by curves. The curve of a vertical link then engages with the curve of a horizontal link, and so on, so that in the longitudinal direction of the chain, the chain is formed by a series of horizontal and vertical links.

[0011] The vertical members are designed with a reduced height in the cross-section of their legs. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the legs is also reduced, particularly relative to the cross-section of the vertical member in the curve. The cross-sectional area of ​​the legs of the vertical members can also be related to the cross-sectional area of ​​the horizontal member in the curve.

[0012] According to the invention, it is now provided that in the center of the curve of the vertical members, these have a cross-section which deviates by more than 5% from the cross-section of the center of the curve of the horizontal member.

[0013] Cross-section refers in particular to the cross-sectional area.

[0014] In particular, the cross-section of the curve of the vertical member is larger than the cross-section of the curve of the horizontal member, in particular more than 6%, preferably more than 7%, most preferably more than 8%. However, the cross-section of the curve of the vertical member should not be more than 15%, particularly preferably not more than 12%, and in particular not more than 10% larger than the cross-section of the curve of the horizontal member. Here, again, the cross-section refers to the cross-sectional area.

[0015] According to the invention, it has surprisingly been shown that when a chain wheel passes through a sprocket, this measure increases the test and breaking force of the chain relative to the nominal diameter, particularly when production fluctuations are taken into account. The forces to be effectively transmitted from the inner circumferential surfaces of the curves of the vertical link and horizontal link are optimized. In particular when passing through sprockets, higher forces can be effectively transmitted relative to the tensile force to be applied in the longitudinal direction of the chain for the same nominal diameter. As already mentioned, the test and breaking force are reproduced with process reliability and are increased compared to commercially available chains. At the same time, the material used and thus the dead weight as well as the dimensioning of the chain can be reduced while maintaining the same tensile force to be transmitted but also simultaneously or slightly increasing the test and breaking forces.

[0016] An alternative or supplementary measure provides that the cross-section of the center of the curve of the vertical link has a depth that is at least 8% smaller than the width of the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chain. The depth is therefore the dimension of the cross-section measured in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The width is a dimension measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the same cross-section.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the depth of the center of the curve in the cross-section is at least 9% smaller than the width of the curve, in particular more than 10% smaller, preferably more than 11% smaller and particularly preferably more than 12% smaller. However, the deviation should be a maximum of 20%, in particular less than 15%. This measure also effectively increases the effectively available inner surface area of ​​the two interlocking curves of the vertical link and horizontal link, based on the force to be transmitted in the longitudinal direction of the chain. This measure also allows the test and breaking forces to be reliably reproduced in a process-reliable manner, so that a highly efficient link chain is provided, particularly taking into account usage and production fluctuations.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the legs are flattened on their outer leg sides or on the outer surface of the legs of the vertical links. The flattening can in particular refer to a reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the leg. The flattening extends in particular over the entire course of the vertical link in the longitudinal direction of the chain up to the curve. In particular, the chain links can be flat. In the cross-section of the legs, however, the flattening can also be designed such that, relative to a central longitudinal plane, the outer surfaces on the left and right sides of the vertical link are flattened. However, both surfaces are arranged at an angle to one another that is less than 180°, but greater than 170°, in particular greater than 175°. In a further preferred embodiment, the vertical links have a central web that connects the legs of the vertical link to one another.The central web is formed in one piece with the vertical member and made of the same material. Thus, two receiving openings are formed in the vertical member. Each receiving opening is provided for the insertion of a horizontal member.

[0019] Furthermore, in a longitudinal section of the vertical member, the outer surface of the curve is particularly preferably formed over an angular range of 80° to 100°, preferably 88° to 92°, and particularly preferably 90°. The outer surface of the curve then merges into the flattened outer side of the legs.

[0020] These aforementioned measures have proven advantageous when passing through the sprocket. This effectively prevents the chain links from becoming tangled in one another due to the center bar. The vertical links can be manufactured using forging techniques. The horizontal links are then preferably made from round steel using a bending process and welded together to create the link chain.

[0021] It has also proven advantageous within the meaning of the invention that the width of the vertical link is greater, in particular more than 1% greater, preferably more than 2% greater, and in particular more than 10%, than the width of the nominal diameter of the link chain and / or the width of the horizontal link. The width of the vertical link is particularly preferably 14% to 20%, in particular 15% to 19%, and very particularly preferably 16% to 18% greater than the width of the horizontal link. However, the width of the vertical link is less than 120% of the nominal diameter. Therefore, the width of the vertical link is not more than 20% greater than the nominal diameter of the link chain.

[0022] In particular, the width of the vertical member is approximately constant throughout, meaning that the vertical member has the same width in the legs and the curves. Furthermore, the width of the horizontal member is particularly preferably constant throughout, meaning that the legs and curves of the horizontal member have the same width. The horizontal member also has a greater width in the area of ​​a joining weld. However, the width of the horizontal member is smaller than the width of the vertical member.

[0023] Particularly preferably, an inner side of the legs of the vertical member is flattened.

[0024] The inner side of the curve of a vertical member is furthermore particularly preferably formed in longitudinal section over an angular range of 80° to 100°, in particular 88° to 92° and particularly preferably of approximately 90°.

[0025] Further advantages, features, properties, and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. This serves to facilitate understanding of the invention. It shows:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a link chain according to the invention in side view,

[0027] Figure 2 the vertical member in a cross-sectional view,

[0028] Figure 3 is an analogous view according to Figure 1, wherein the chain is rotated by 90° around the chain longitudinal direction.

[0029] The embodiments mentioned above and described below can be combined with each other as desired without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0030] In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical and similar components, even if a repeated illustration or description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a side view of a link chain 1 according to the invention. The link chain 1 has alternating vertical links 2 and horizontal links 3 arranged between them. The vertical links 2 are arranged relative to a vertical direction V. The horizontal links 3 are arranged relative to the horizontal direction.

[0032] The chain links are each formed by two legs 4 arranged parallel to one another and curves 5 arranged at the respective ends of the legs 4. The chain links 2, 3 engage with one another via the curves 5. A partial sectional view, shown on the left of the image plane of Figure 1, shows a curve 6 of the adjacent horizontal link 3 engaging in the two receiving openings 8 of a vertical link 2. The inner circumferential surfaces 9, 10 of the curves 5, 6 thus bear against one another. A tensile force is transmitted in the longitudinal direction L of the chain via the inner circumferential surfaces 9, 10 or the adjacent inner circumferential surfaces and the contact surfaces formed thereby.

[0033] When a sprocket (not shown in detail) engages, the horizontal links 3 and vertical links 2 can be angled or rotated relative to each other, allowing the toothing of a sprocket. The vertical link 2 has a central web 11 connecting the two legs 4 of the vertical link 2. This web thus forms the two receiving openings 8 for receiving an adjacent horizontal link 3.

[0034] It is further shown that the outer side 12 of each leg 4 is flattened. Thus, the height 19 of the leg 4 is smaller relative to the height or depth 15 in the chain longitudinal direction L of the curve 5 of the vertical link 2. This is particularly clearly visible in Figure 2, a cross-sectional view along section line II-II of Figure 1.

[0035] It is further shown that the flattened outer side 12 of the legs 4 of the vertical links 2 extends into the area of ​​the rounding 5, and is therefore formed over the entire longitudinal course in the chain longitudinal direction L of the vertical link 2.

[0036] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows an angular range ß, through which the inner circumferential surface 13 of the curve 5 of the vertical member 2 extends. This angular range ß is preferably 90°. The outer side of the curve 5 of the vertical member 2 also extends over this angular range ß.

[0037] Figure 2 shows the vertical member 2 in a cross-sectional view. The cross-section of each leg 4 is shown. The outer side of the leg 4 is flattened. For this purpose, two surfaces are formed at an angle a of less than 180°, but preferably greater than 170°, so that the outer side 12 of the respective leg 4, 7 is not completely flat. It can also be seen that an inner circumferential surface 13 of the leg 4 of the vertical member 2 is also flattened. Flattened here does not mean flat, but merely provided with a correspondingly larger radius, so that a flatter, rounded inner circumferential surface 13 is produced. The width 16 of the leg 4 and in particular the width 16 of the entire vertical member 2 is preferably the same over the entire longitudinal extent of the vertical member 2. The width 14 is in particular greater than the nominal diameter orThe width 20 of the horizontal member 3 is preferably more than 1%, in particular more than 2%, preferably more than 10% larger than the nominal diameter. However, the width 14 is not more than 20% larger than the nominal diameter or the width 20 of the horizontal member.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a view analogous to Figure 1, with the chain rotated by 90° around the chain's longitudinal direction L. The horizontal links 3 can now be seen, depicted here as upright. However, the vertical direction V enters or exits the image plane. The vertical links 2 are thus arranged between the horizontal links 3. The horizontal links 3 also have legs 4.

[0039] The enlarged detailed view, shown in Figure 3a, particularly shows this aspect of the present invention. The depth 15 of the cross-section or cross-sectional area 17 in the curve 5 is taken from the center cross-sectional plane. The center cross-sectional plane through the chain link runs exactly through the center, shown in Figure 1 on the section line III-III. The depth 15 in the chain's longitudinal direction L is at least 8% smaller than the width 16 transverse to the chain's longitudinal direction L. The resulting contact surfaces of the curves 5, 6 can be optimized by the larger width 16 transverse to the chain's longitudinal direction L. The tensile force to be transmitted or the elongation at break is optimized by the depth 15 in the chain's longitudinal direction L in such a way that the tensile force and breaking force are reliably reproduced, while at the same time the material usage and the dead weight are reduced.

[0040] A second aspect is shown in the comparison of Figure 3a and Figure 1, that the central cross-section, thus the cross-sectional area 17 of the curve 5 shown in Figure 3a, is larger than the cross-sectional area 18 of the curve 6. The cross-sectional area 17 of the curve 5 is preferably at least 5%, in particular 6%, particularly preferably more than 7% and most preferably more than 8% larger than the cross-sectional area 18 of the curve 6 according to Figure 1.

[0041] Reference symbol:

[0042] 1 - Link chain

[0043] 2 - Vertical link

[0044] 3 - Horizontal link

[0045] 4 - Legs to 2

[0046] 5 - Rounding to 2

[0047] 6 - Rounding to 3

[0048] 7 - Legs to 3

[0049] 8 - Receiving opening

[0050] 9 - Inner surface to 6

[0051] 10 - Inner surface to 5

[0052] 11 - Central bridge

[0053] 12 - Outside to 4

[0054] 13 - Inner surface to 4

[0055] 14 - width to 4

[0056] 15 - Depth to 4

[0057] 16 - width to 5

[0058] 17 - Cross-sectional area to 5

[0059] 18 - Cross-sectional area to 6

[0060] 19 - Height to 4

[0061] 20 - width to 3

[0062] L - chain longitudinal direction

[0063] V - Vertical direction a - Angle ß - Angle

Claims

Patent claims 1. Link chain (1) for use in particular in mining, made of steel, comprising horizontal links (3) and vertical links (2), which each alternately interlock as chain links, wherein the horizontal links (3) and vertical links (2) each have legs (4) running parallel to one another and are connected to one another via curves (5), wherein the vertical links (2) are designed to be reduced in height (19) in the cross-section of their legs (4), characterized in that the center of the curve (5) of the vertical links (2) has a cross-section which deviates by more than 5% from the cross-section of the center of the curve (6) of the horizontal link (3) and / or that the cross-section of the center of the curve (5) of the vertical link (2) has a depth (15) in the chain longitudinal direction (L) which is at least 8% smaller than a width (16) transverse to the chain longitudinal direction (L).

2. Link chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section of the curve (5) of the vertical link (2) is larger than the cross section of the curve (6) of the horizontal link (3), in particular more than 6%, preferably more than 7%, very particularly preferably more than 8%.

3. Link chain (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the depth (15) of the center of the curve (5) in cross section is at least 9% smaller than the width (14) of the curve (5), in particular more than 10%, preferably more than 11% and in particular more than 12%.

4. Link chain (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical links (2) are provided at their outer Leg sides (4) are flattened.

5. Link chain (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical links (2) in their legs (4) and Curves (5) have the same width (14).

6. Link chain (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical links (2) have a central web (11), which connects the legs (4) to one another, in particular in such a way that two receiving openings (8) are formed for one horizontal member (3) each.

7. Link chain (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a longitudinal section of the vertical link (2) the outer surface of the curve (5) covers an angular range of 80° to 100°, preferably 88° to 92° and particularly preferably 90°, wherein the outer surface of the curve (5) then merges into the flattened outer side of the legs (4).

8. Link chain (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width (14) of the vertical link (2) is greater, in particular more than 1% greater, preferably more than 2%, in particular more than 10% than the width (20) of the horizontal link (3) and / or the nominal diameter of the chain and that the width (14) of the vertical link (2) is less than 120% of the nominal diameter and / or the width (20) of the horizontal link (3).

9. Link chain (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner side of the legs (4) of the vertical link (2) is flattened.

10. Link chain (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner side of the curve (5) of a vertical link (2) is formed in longitudinal section over an angular range of 90°.

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