Conveyor Chain Modular Links for Heavy Load Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor chains used for transporting large and heavy articles often suffer damage or deformation due to their size constraints, as they require larger dimensions to handle such loads, which increases space and acquisition costs.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor chain design featuring individual chain links with parallel legs and orthogonally aligned bolts that mechanically couple the legs, allowing for a compact structure while preventing relative movement and twisting, along with transport elements providing a planar contact surface and convex curvatures for optimized meshing engagement with chain rings, ensuring stability and reduced wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the conveyor chain is made larger to transport heavy items, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the space requirement and acquisition costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor chain is divided into modular chain links that can be articulated together. Each chain link consists of two parallel legs with pins for articulation, allowing the chain to be segmented into manageable units that can be configured in different arrangements to transport heavy items without requiring an excessively large overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chain links utilize three-dimensional spatial arrangement with legs extending in multiple directions and pins providing articulation axes. This dimensional approach allows the chain to achieve high load-bearing capacity through spatial configuration rather than simply increasing the linear dimensions of the chain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the conveyor chain is made larger to transport heavy items, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the acquisition costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidacquisition costs

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for parameter optimization in the chain link geometry, including the orientation of legs parallel to the direction of travel and pins oriented orthogonally to the legs. These parameter choices optimize the strength-to-cost ratio by distributing loads efficiently through the articulated structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If the conveyor chain is made narrower to reduce space and costs, then the space requirement and acquisition costs decrease, but the chain is more prone to damage and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementVSAvoidresistance to damage and deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The chain links are designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, with pins allowing articulation between adjacent links. This dynamic capability enables the chain to adapt to load variations and directional changes without suffering damage or deformation, even when the chain has a narrower profile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If the individual chain links are rigidly connected to prevent movement, then the stability is improved, but the ability to handle heavy loads without damage decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidresistance to damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The articulated design with pins allows the chain to preliminary adapt to potential stressors and load variations before they cause damage. The ability to articulate and reconfigure provides a preliminary protective action against damage from heavy loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3064454B1Conveyor chain for transporting items and transport system with conveyor chain

Publication Date: 2021.12.22 KRONES AG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A conveyor chain (5) and a transport system for transporting articles such as beverage containers or the like are disclosed. The conveyor chain (5) comprises a plurality of individual chain links (7), each of which has two parallel legs (11, 13) and at least one pin (18) that mechanically couples the two parallel legs (11, 13) of the respective chain link (7) to one another. Pins (18) of directly adjacent chain links (7) are articulated to one another, so that the individual chain links (7) can pivot relative to one another. The conveyor chain (5) also comprises a plurality of individual transport elements (9), each of which provides a flat contact surface (20) for articles and each has at least two bushings (15, 17) in which pins (18) of directly adjacent chain links (7) are rotatably received.