Chain Strand Fastener With Wave Guide Recesses for Multi-Strand Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for chain strands are complex to construct and can only orient a single chain strand at a time, requiring multiple devices for multiple strands, making it difficult to achieve desired orientation and secure attachment.

Innovation Solution

The fastening device features wave-shaped guide bays that curve from the holding section's plane, allowing for easy orientation of chain strands without requiring complex orientation of the entire holding section, and can accommodate multiple strands with different holding directions for balanced force distribution, using a single piece of wire with varied cross-sections for manufacturing ease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the holding section is oriented to achieve desired chain strand orientation, then the chain strand can be properly aligned, but the construction becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain strand orientationVSAvoidholding section construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide bays are curved out of the plane of the holding section in a wave-like manner, adding a third dimension to the guiding structure. This allows the guide bays to provide orientation guidance without requiring the entire holding section to be complexly oriented, as the curved three-dimensional structure inherently guides the chain strand along the desired path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide bays act as an intermediary element between the holding section and the chain strand. Instead of directly orienting the holding section to achieve chain strand alignment, the guide bays mediate this relationship by providing a curved path that naturally guides the chain strand into the correct orientation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single fastening device is used, then the construction is simpler, but only a single chain strand can be oriented at a time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of fastening devicesVSAvoidnumber of chain strands oriented
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holding section is designed with multiple guide bays (at least two) that can accommodate multiple chain strands simultaneously. Each guide bay is curved in opposite directions, allowing the single fastening device to orient multiple chain strands with different holding directions, making the device universal and multi-functional

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If multiple fastening devices are used for multiple chain strands, then each strand can be oriented, but the device quantity and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain strand orientationVSAvoidnumber of fastening devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple guiding functions for multiple chain strands are merged into a single holding section with multiple guide bays. Instead of using separate fastening devices for each chain strand, the guide bays are integrated into one structure, combining multiple functions into a unified device that reduces the total quantity needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4033120B1Fastening device for fastening at least one chain strand to a holding device
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 RUD KETTENFABRIK RIEGER & DIETZ GMBH & CO
  • EP4033120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4033120B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4033120B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Shown is a fastening device (100) for fastening at least one chain strand (80) to a holding means (90), comprising a holding section (10) forming an eyelet (11), which transitions into two legs (20) connected to the holding section (10), wherein the legs (20) are bent back to the holding section (10) forming a hook-shaped attachment section (30) in each case, wherein the holding section (10) has at least one guide recess (40) bent in a wave-like manner out of the plane (15) of the holding section (10).