Electric Chain Block Guide Groove Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric chain block designs face issues where the load chain can get stuck at the chain inlet/outlet due to irregular link orientations when no tension is applied, and the projection of the chain inlet/outlet area prevents the installation of a press-type limit switch, risking motor damage.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a chain inlet/outlet with a first guide groove for long side link alignment and a second guide groove for short side alignment, featuring narrowed parts and expanded groove parts to facilitate smooth link entry and a pressable limit switch area, allowing the lower hook to stop the motor safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the chain inlet/outlet area projects from the bottom surface to prevent chain jamming, then the load chain can enter smoothly, but the limit switch cannot be pressed by the lower hook

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechain entry smoothnessVSAvoidlimit switch functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The chain inlet/outlet is divided into multiple grooves (first longitudinal groove, first lateral groove, second longitudinal groove, second lateral groove) with different orientations and depths. This segmentation allows chains with different link orientations to enter smoothly through appropriate grooves, while the limit switch installation area remains separate and accessible on the bottom surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses grooves at different depths (first guide groove and second guide groove) to accommodate chains with different link orientations. This dimensional approach allows the chain inlet structure to handle various chain configurations without projecting the entire inlet area, leaving space for the limit switch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the chain inlet/outlet is cross-shaped with grooves corresponding to link length, then links can align properly, but links may still get stuck when pulled in irregularly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink alignment precisionVSAvoidchain entry ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chain inlet/outlet is divided into multiple grooves (first longitudinal groove, first lateral groove, second longitudinal groove, second lateral groove) with different orientations and depths. This segmentation allows chains with different link orientations to enter smoothly through appropriate grooves, while the limit switch installation area remains separate and accessible on the bottom surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different grooves have different depths and orientations tailored to specific link orientations. The first guide groove handles links in one orientation while the second guide groove handles links in another orientation, providing localized solutions for different entry scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the body part is placed on the floor with no tension on the load chain, then the body is stable, but each link reaches the chain inlet/outlet in irregular orientation causing jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody stabilityVSAvoidchain entry smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chain inlet/outlet is divided into multiple grooves (first longitudinal groove, first lateral groove, second longitudinal groove, second lateral groove) with different orientations and depths. This segmentation allows chains with different link orientations to enter smoothly through appropriate grooves, while the limit switch installation area remains separate and accessible on the bottom surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves are pre-configured with specific orientations and depths to guide links into proper alignment before they enter the main chain path. This preliminary guidance prevents jamming by ensuring links are properly oriented even when the body is stationary on the floor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12103829B2Electric chain block

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 KITO CORP

AI summary

A chain inlet/outlet, from which a load chain on a load side is hauled in or paid out, has a first guide groove having a first longitudinal groove and a first lateral groove. The chain inlet/outlet also has a second guide groove that is provided on a deeper side of a body part than the first guide groove is and has a second longitudinal groove and a second lateral groove. The first guide groove has narrowed parts that determine, when each link of the load chain is pulled in, into which of the first longitudinal groove and the first lateral groove the link is introduced, and expanded groove parts having a width larger than the groove width of the narrowed parts and provided on the outer side, farther away from the center of the chain inlet/outlet than the narrowed parts.