Cable Carrier Running Surface With Rollers Across Link Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable routing devices face challenges in minimizing energy loss and noise due to gaps in the running surface, with previous solutions requiring a minimum gap width that limits further improvement and complicating design, and causing issues with chain link movement.
Innovation Solution
A cable routing device with articulated links that form a loop, where pivot axes are closer to the inside of the loop, featuring a recess and pin design at transitions between links to create gaps that do not significantly impact roller movement, allowing for reduced energy loss and noise without minimizing gap width, and incorporating rollers that maintain contact with the running surface for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the gap width between side plates is minimized to reduce energy loss and noise, then energy efficiency improves, but design complexity increases and operational reliability deteriorates due to lack of play between chain links
Solution Approach 1:
The running surface is segmented into discrete sections on adjacent links, with gaps between them. This segmentation allows the chain links to have sufficient play for reliable operation while the rollers bridge these gaps to maintain continuous rolling contact, thus reducing energy loss without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Rollers serve as intermediary elements between the segmented running surfaces of adjacent links. The rollers maintain continuous contact with the running surfaces while bridging the gaps, enabling smooth energy-efficient rolling motion while allowing the chain links to move freely relative to each other
2Loss of energy
If the gap width between side plates is reduced to improve energy efficiency, then energy loss decreases, but the design becomes more complex and manufacturing more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a continuous running surface with minimal gaps, the design segments the running surface into discrete sections on each link. This segmentation allows for larger, more manufacturable gaps while maintaining rolling efficiency through the use of rollers that bridge these gaps
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than trying to eliminate gaps between links (the conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by accepting and utilizing larger gaps. The rollers are designed to bridge these gaps, converting what was previously a harmful feature into a beneficial design characteristic that simplifies manufacturing while maintaining energy efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces energy loss and noise by allowing rollers to maintain contact with the running surface while traversing transitions, even with larger-than-necessary gaps, simplifying design and avoiding the need for minimal gap widths, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and durability of the cable routing system.
Implementation Method 1
at least some of the links have a respective roller protruding from the running surface. The upper run and the lower run can abut each other via the running surface in such a way that the upper run and the lower run can be moved relative to each other by means of the rollers
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a line-guiding device (1) comprising a plurality of links (2) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and which form a loop consisting of an upper strand (3), a deflection region (4), and a lower strand (5), wherein: adjacent links (2) can be pivoted relative to one another about a pivot axis (6); the pivot axes (6) are located closer to a loop inner side (7) than to a loop outer side (8) at least in some of the links (2); the links (2) each have two side flaps (9) opposite one another; side flaps (9) of adjacent links (2) form at least one running surface (10) on the loop inner side (7); at least some of the links (2) have a roller (11) projecting from the running surface (10); and the upper strand (3) and the lower strand (4) can abut one another over the running surface (10) in such a way that the upper strand (3) and the lower strand (4) can be moved relative to one another by means of the rollers (11). The line-guiding device is characterised in that the running surface (10) is interrupted at least at some of the transitions between adjacent links (2) in such a way that a part of the running surface (10) formed by a first of the two adjacent links (2) has a recess (12) and that a part of the running surface (10) formed by a second of the two adjacent links (2) has a pin (13) which engages in the recess (12), forming a gap (14).