Closed Eyelet Chain Shortening Device Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shortening devices for chain strands are large and heavy, making them difficult to handle due to their dimensions and weight.
Innovation Solution
The connection opening is designed as a closed eyelet, and the anchoring receptacle is formed by a separate opening, allowing for a stronger and more compact design by reducing bending moments and enabling size optimization, with the anchoring receptacle's clear width limiting the chain size to prevent improper use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connection opening is designed as an open slot with a retaining bolt, then the device can securely hold chain links, but the device becomes larger and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The connection opening is segmented into two separate openings: a closed eyelet for the connecting link and a separate anchoring receptacle for the chain link. This segmentation allows each opening to be optimized independently, with the closed eyelet being compact and the anchoring receptacle sized precisely for chain retention, reducing overall device size and weight while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional open slot with a retaining bolt that requires a large base structure, the invention inverts the approach by using a closed eyelet design where the connection link passes through a closed loop. This inversion eliminates the need for a large retaining bolt mechanism and reduces the overall device footprint and weight while maintaining secure connection.
2Ease of operation
If the device dimensions are reduced to improve handling, then ease of operation improves, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connection system into a closed eyelet and a separate anchoring receptacle, each component can be minimized in size for ease of handling while the closed eyelet provides inherent structural strength through its closed-loop design that resists deformation under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed eyelet is designed with localized reinforcement at critical stress points, allowing the overall device to be smaller and lighter while maintaining sufficient strength where it is most needed - at the connection and anchoring points that bear the mechanical loads.
3Strength
If a closed eyelet design is used, then device strength increases and size decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closed eyelet and anchoring receptacle are merged into a single integrated base body structure, eliminating the need for separate components and complex assembly operations. This integration simplifies manufacturing while achieving the strength and compactness benefits of the closed eyelet design.
Solution Approach 2:
The base body is designed as a universal component that incorporates both the closed eyelet for connecting links and the anchoring receptacle for chain links, allowing a single manufacturing process to produce a multi-functional element that performs multiple functions without requiring additional parts or assembly steps.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a shortening device (1) for shortening a chain strand (23), the shortening device comprising a connecting section (3) with at least one connecting opening (7), a shortening member (4, 26), at least one anchoring receptacle (7) for receiving an end link (24a) of the chain strand (23), said anchoring receptacle being arranged on a side of the connecting section (3) which faces the shortening member (4, 26) and being closed by a retaining pin (8) inserted into a cutout (32), and a web (5) which connects the connecting section (3) to the shortening member (4, 26) and is arranged at an end of the cutout (32) pointing in the longitudinal direction. In order to provide a lighter and smaller shortening device (1), it is provided according to the invention that the connecting opening (7) is designed as a closed eye (7).