Guiding Chain Carrier with Compensation Trolley for Straight Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guiding chain systems face challenges in deploying and storing long guiding chains without folding, which can cause damage and require excessive storage space, especially as the work surface area increases, leading to longer chain lengths and increased risk of folding.
Innovation Solution
A 1-dimension guiding chain system that remains straight and bends within the same plane, utilizing a compensation trolley with chain pulleys and engines to maintain tension and prevent folding, allowing for efficient deployment and storage while optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the guiding chain length is extended to reach the extreme operation location furthest from the static connection point, then the work surface area is increased, but the risk of folding and damage to the guiding chain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding chain is divided into multiple sections or links that can be independently managed. The compensation trolley system segments the chain deployment process, allowing the chain to be paid out in controlled portions rather than as a single long continuous length, reducing the risk of folding throughout the entire chain length.
Solution Approach 2:
A compensation trolley is introduced as an intermediary device between the static connection point and the mobile workstation. This trolley actively manages the guiding chain by paying it out or taking it up, ensuring the chain remains taut and properly oriented, thereby preventing folding even over extended work surface areas.
2Quantity of substance
If a guiding chain longer than a few meters is wound around an axis for storage, then the chain can be stored, but the volume required is incompatible with common shed sizes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing the guiding chain by winding it around an axis in three-dimensional space (which requires large volume), the system uses a compensation trolley that moves along a linear path. The chain is stored by being paid out along this linear dimension rather than coiled in volumetric space, making storage compatible with limited shed dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is made dynamic through the compensation trolley that can move back and forth along the guiding chain. Rather than static winding around a fixed axis, the chain is dynamically managed by the moving trolley, allowing compact storage in linear space rather than requiring volumetric coiling space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guiding chain is made to bend in two opposite directions to accommodate the workspace, then the workstation can reach further locations, but the guiding chain becomes very rare and very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending the guiding chain in two opposite directions to achieve workstation reach, the system inverts the approach by using a compensation trolley that moves to accommodate the workspace variations. The chain itself remains straight and simple, while the trolley provides the adaptability, thereby avoiding the need for complex bent-chain configurations.
4Productivity
If the guiding chain is deployed to cover the maximum work surface area, then the mobile workstation can operate at extreme locations, but the chain requires excessive storage space when retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation trolley provides dynamic chain management, allowing the system to deploy long chain lengths for maximum workstation range while maintaining compact storage. The trolley moves to pay out or retract the chain as needed, enabling the chain to be stored in a compact, linear manner rather than requiring large volumetric space for coiling.
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
The solution enables safe, efficient deployment and storage of guiding chains of various lengths, reducing wear and risk of breakage, optimizing space, and increasing the yield per square meter in applications like agriculture by maintaining tension and preventing folding, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a compensation trolley with chain pulleys and engines to maintain tension and prevent folding
Data Source
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AI summary
A guiding chain carrier system (1) configured for an installation (2), for deploying and for storing without folding said guiding chain and flexible supply cables and/or pipelines, said guiding chain carrier system comprising: A mobile workstation (6) movable over a work surface (3) and connected to the said cables and/or pipelines, At least one guiding chain (20), connected to a static connection area (7) on one end and to the mobile workstation (6) on the other end thereof, for supporting said cables and/or pipelines; Characterized by at least one compensation trolley (8), comprising a compensation system, Said compensation trolley (8) is movable and the compensation system is able to generate a resistance force in order to maintain the guiding chain (20) straight while the mobile workstation (6) moves from an operation location nearest the static connection area (7) until an operation location furthest from the static connection area (7).