Electric Chain Actuator Irreversibility via Cavity Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric chain actuators for gate leaves lack sufficient irreversibility to withstand wind and forced manual attempts, and adding a reduction gear or brake increases costs without compatibility with open chain transmission.
Innovation Solution
An electric chain actuator with a pinion-driven carriage and an open chain articulated on the carriage, featuring a cavity that receives misaligned chain links at an angle greater than 45°, providing irreversibility without relying on the electric motor or additional brakes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reduction gear or brake is added to provide irreversibility, then the actuator can withstand wind and forced manual attempts, but the price and device complexity significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the irreversibility function from complex mechanisms (reduction gear, brake) and implements it through a simple geometric configuration of the chain links in the cavity. The cavity shape and chain link arrangement create a mechanical stop that prevents reverse movement without requiring additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive chain links and cavity geometry to provide the irreversibility function, replacing expensive and complex reduction gears or brakes. The solution achieves reliable locking through basic mechanical elements already present in the system.
2Reliability
If a reduction gear or brake is added to provide irreversibility, then the actuator can withstand wind and forced manual attempts, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the irreversibility function from complex mechanisms (reduction gear, brake) and implements it through a simple geometric configuration of the chain links in the cavity. The cavity shape and chain link arrangement create a mechanical stop that prevents reverse movement without requiring additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive chain links and cavity geometry to provide the irreversibility function, replacing expensive and complex reduction gears or brakes. The solution achieves reliable locking through basic mechanical elements already present in the system.
3Reliability
If the electric motor is used to maintain the carriage in position, then the actuator can resist external forces, but the motor is continuously solicited increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the chain links themselves to provide the locking mechanism. When the carriage reaches its first position, the chain links are automatically engaged in the cavity configuration that blocks reverse movement, without requiring continuous motor power or active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity is pre-configured with a specific geometry that automatically engages the chain links in a blocking configuration when the carriage reaches the first position. This preliminary geometric arrangement ensures that once the carriage is in position, the locking mechanism is already in place without requiring ongoing motor solicitation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The actuator has a movable trolley (82) moving between two positions according to a preset trajectory (D1). An open chain (84) is engaged with the pinion and articulated on the trolley. A core (88) defines an elongated housing (L1) for guiding the chain and the trolley. The housing includes a trolley receiving zone in one of the positions. The housing is bordered by and emerged in a partial receiving cavity of two links (841, 842) of the chain, where an angle (beta) higher than 45 degrees is formed between longitudinal axes (A841, A842) of the links. The trolley is located in the receiving zone.