Chain Link Guide With Asymmetric Magnetic Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed transport chains in woodworking machines experience vibration damping issues and fretting corrosion due to inadequate magnetic force direction and linear contact in existing solutions, leading to wear and frequent component replacement.
Innovation Solution
The chain links feature a pair of rollers with a transverse guide that creates a two-dimensional air gap, using ferromagnetic materials to direct magnetic flux and reduce frictional corrosion, allowing for improved vibration damping and reduced synchronization requirements between support rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If magnets are fitted in the guide lands to generate magnetic force parallel to the guide wheels axes, then magnetic force is generated to press or draw the transport chain, but the magnetic force direction is inadequate for vibration damping and causes fretting corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning magnets asymmetrically in the groove profile bed rather than symmetrically in the guide lands, and by orienting them to generate magnetic force perpendicular to the guide wheel axes. This asymmetric configuration creates a magnetic force direction that is optimized for damping vibrations perpendicular to the chain track while avoiding the fretting corrosion problem caused by parallel force components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimension of magnetic force application by generating force perpendicular to the guide wheel axes rather than parallel to them. This dimensional change in force direction transforms the magnetic interaction from a linear contact scenario to a scenario where the magnetic force acts through an air gap, effectively damping vibrations without causing fretting corrosion at the contact points.
2Reliability
If a grooved profile with transverse guide roll is used to achieve perpendicular magnetic force direction, then vibration damping is improved, but the magnetic circuit still closes by linear contact causing fretting corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnetic circuit closing path from the linear contact points (guide lands and transverse guide roll contact areas) and relocates it to the groove profile bed where magnets are positioned. By taking out the magnetic interaction from the high-stress contact zones, the patent eliminates the fretting corrosion problem while preserving the perpendicular magnetic force direction that provides effective vibration damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an air gap as an intermediary between the magnets in the groove profile bed and the chain link. This air gap mediates the magnetic interaction by allowing the magnetic force to act perpendicular to the guide wheel axes without requiring linear contact, thereby eliminating fretting corrosion while maintaining effective vibration damping through the magnetic force.
3Reliability
If magnets are positioned in the groove profile bed, then magnetic force acts perpendicular to guide lands tracks improving vibration damping, but requires grooved profile and transverse guide roll structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the groove profile bed to serve multiple functions: it provides the structural housing for the magnets, defines the air gap geometry, guides the chain link movement, and eliminates the need for separate transverse guide rolls in some embodiments. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the benefits of perpendicular magnetic force application for vibration damping.
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
This design enhances vibration behavior, reduces fretting corrosion, and ensures effective workpiece transport with improved parallelism, lowering the need for synchronous support and reducing maintenance costs by decoupling the magnetic circuit from high mechanical loading points.
Implementation Method 1
using ferromagnetic materials to direct magnetic flux
Implementation Method 2
magnetic forces acting in the air gap act substantially at right angles to the tracks of the guide lands
Implementation Method 3
creates a two-dimensional air gap, using ferromagnetic materials to direct magnetic flux and reduce frictional corrosion
Implementation Method 4
magnetic forces achieve good levels of vibration damping
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses chain links for the circulating transport chain of a machine tool, which comprise: a pair of rollers which determine the direction of circulation of the chain link by way of the direction in which they roll, over the rollers which is or are placed at a distance from the pair of rollers in the direction of circulation of the chain link and draw a plane as they roll against the roller pair; and a transverse guide, guiding the chain link transverse to its direction of circulation and is either free from rollers transverse to the direction of circulation of the chain link between the pair of rollers or has a transverse guide roller.