Chain Block Wheel Cover Strength via Wrap-Around Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain blocks face challenges in enhancing the strength of the wheel cover to resist impact or external forces without increasing weight or cost, typically requiring thicker steel plates or separate reinforcement members.
Innovation Solution
A chain block design featuring a wheel cover with a chain guide portion and wrap-around portion, integrated or separately provided, which includes a protruding tip and guide bent portion, and a folded-back portion for improved strength without additional reinforcement or increased thickness, along with concave portions on the frame for enhanced grip and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of a steel plate is increased to improve the strength of the wheel cover, then the strength is improved, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cover is divided into multiple functional portions: a basic wheel cover portion and a wrap-around portion that extends around the fixation hole. This segmentation allows the structure to be reinforced at specific locations (around fixation holes and edges) without increasing the overall thickness of the entire wheel cover, thereby improving strength locally while controlling weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrap-around portion provides localized reinforcement around the fixation hole and peripheral edges where stress concentration occurs during mounting and operation. By concentrating material only where needed rather than uniformly thickening the entire wheel cover, the design achieves improved strength at critical locations while minimizing overall weight increase.
2Strength
If a separate reinforcement member is added to improve the strength of the wheel cover, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is merged into the wheel cover itself through the wrap-around portion, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement members. The wrap-around portion is integrally formed with the wheel cover and provides structural reinforcement at critical locations, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrap-around portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a reinforcement element to improve strength, provides a mounting surface for fixation members, and contributes to the overall structural integrity of the wheel cover. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate reinforcement components.
3Strength
If the thickness of a steel plate is increased to improve the strength of the wheel cover, then the strength is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cover is segmented into a basic portion and a wrap-around reinforcement portion, allowing standard thickness steel plate to be used for the main body while adding reinforcement only where needed. This reduces overall material consumption and manufacturing cost compared to uniformly thickening the entire wheel cover.
Solution Approach 2:
By providing reinforcement only at critical locations (around fixation holes and peripheral edges) through the wrap-around portion, the design uses material efficiently, reducing overall steel plate consumption and manufacturing cost while maintaining required strength at stress-prone areas.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a chain block with which wheel cover strength can be improved while inhibiting an increase in cost, without the need for separate reinforcement members. A chain block (10) is provided with a wheel cover (14) which is attached to a frame member (12), and which covers a hand-chain wheel (80) having a hand chain (C2) looped thereover. A plurality of fixation holes (147) for having fixation members (SB) inserted therethrough during attachment to the frame member (12) are provided in peripheral edge sections of end-surface (143) sides of the wheel cover (14), said end-surface sides being disposed facing the frame member (12). Wrap-around portions (148) are provided to wheel-cover (14) side surfaces (142) which intersect the end surfaces (143), said wrap-around portions being formed so as to surround, at an angle exceeding 90, the fixation holes (147) in the peripheral direction of the fixation holes (147).