Chuck-Jaw Chain Drive Mechanism for Elongate Object Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for conveying elongate objects like pipes or cables face mechanical inefficiencies due to breakdown torque on chuck jaws when chains with chuck jaws are driven via guide gears, leading to unfavorable mechanical conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring two continuous chains with chuck jaws, driven by a separate roller chain system where toothed edges on the chuck jaw chains engage with the drive chains, ensuring synchronized movement and reducing breakdown torque by distributing the drive force more favorably.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chains with chuck jaws are driven via guide gears, then the chains can be guided and driven, but unfavorable mechanical conditions and breakdown torque act on the chuck jaws
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the drive function from the guide gears and transfers it to separate drive chains (11) that engage directly with the chuck jaw chains (3, 4) via toothed edges (13). This separation removes the harmful breakdown torque from the chuck jaws while maintaining the guiding function of the original guide gears (2).
Solution Approach 2:
The toothed edges (13) arranged on the chuck jaw chains serve as intermediaries that transmit drive force from the separate drive chains (11) to the chuck jaw chains (3, 4) without involving the guide gears. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the unfavorable mechanical conditions while maintaining effective power transmission.
2Productivity
If separate drive chains are used for each chain with chuck jaws, then synchronization and mechanical efficiency improve, but the number of drive components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into separate drive chains (11) for each chuck jaw chain (3, 4), allowing independent optimization and synchronization of each chain. This segmentation enables better mechanical efficiency and synchronization while the modular structure makes the system easier to maintain and adjust.
3Force
If toothed edges engage directly in the chains with chuck jaws, then favorable lever conditions are produced, but the chain structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed edges (13) are arranged locally on specific sections of the chuck jaw chains (3, 4) where they engage with the drive chains (11). This localized modification provides favorable lever conditions for power transmission without requiring complex changes to the entire chain structure. The toothed edges are integrated into the chain links in a way that maintains the overall simplicity of the chain design.
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 configuration enhances mechanical efficiency and synchronization of the chuck-jaw discharge system, making it simpler and less prone to breakdowns while maintaining necessary friction for uniform conveying of elongate objects.
Implementation Method 1
Since, in the invention, the drive for the chains, which are equipped with chuck jaws, engages directly on the chains, more favorable lever conditions are produced
Implementation Method 2
The traction between chuck jaws and the object to be conveyed that is necessary for the transport of the elongate object is achieved by at least one of the guide rails, on which the insides of the straight strands of the two chains that are equipped with chuck jaws rest, for example using pneumatic means, such as expansion bellows, being pressed onto the straight strand of the opposite chain that is equipped with chuck jaws
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) designed as a chuck-jaw discharge system for conveying elongate objects includes two chains (3, 4) equipped with chuck jaws (5). The chains (3, 4) are driven by two drives (10). Each of the drives (10) includes an endless roller chain (11), in which toothed edges (13) that are fastened to the chains (3, 4) equipped with chuck jaws (5) engage. The roller chains (11) of the drives (10) are coupled to the straight, adjacent strands of the chains (3, 4) equipped with chuck jaws (5).