Conveyor Chain Module Link Coupling Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal modular conveyor chains experience significant sheet metal material losses during production, with approximately 25% of sheet material lost annually, which is substantial enough to construct a copy of the Eiffel tower in stainless steel, highlighting the need for a more efficient design to reduce material waste.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a link portion with coupling pieces that loop less than three-quarters around the hinge pin receiving space, allowing for closer nesting of sheet metal blanks during punching and the use of auxiliary elements to prevent hinge pin slippage, thereby reducing material usage and ensuring tensile force transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coupling pieces are formed to loop around the hinge pin receiving space (conventional three-quarter loop), then tensile forces can be transferred reliably, but sheet metal material losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the coupling piece loop from the conventional three-quarter loop to a less-than-three-quarter loop configuration. This parameter modification reduces the material consumption per coupling piece while maintaining the essential function of tensile force transfer through the hinge pin connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by forming the coupling piece loop to extend only partially around the hinge pin receiving space, rather than completing the full three-quarter loop. This partial looping is sufficient to achieve the required tensile force transfer while minimizing material usage.
2Loss of substance
If coupling pieces are shortened to reduce material loss, then nesting efficiency improves, but the ability to retain hinge pins may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hinge pin retention function into two separate components: the coupling piece loop (which provides partial retention and tensile force transfer) and an auxiliary retention element (which provides additional pin retention). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the coupling piece being shorter and the auxiliary element compensating for any reduced retention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary retention element acts as an intermediary component that supplements the hinge pin retention function. It works in conjunction with the shortened coupling piece loop to ensure reliable pin retention, allowing the coupling piece to be optimized for minimal material usage while the auxiliary element guarantees adequate retention.
3Productivity
If shorter coupling pieces are used, then nesting of sheet metal blanks can be closer, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper hinge pin passage
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary retention element is designed to work with the shortened coupling piece in a self-service manner, where the combination of the two components automatically ensures proper hinge pin retention and passage without requiring excessive manufacturing precision. The auxiliary element compensates for minor variations in coupling piece dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A module (1) for a modular conveyor chain (8), comprising a link portion (2) made of sheet metal that includes a substantially elongate conveying body (3), having a centrally located coupling piece (4) on one longitudinal side thereof and a pair of coupling pieces (4) on an opposite longitudinal side thereof, that are inter-spaced to receive the centrally located coupling piece of a link portion of a consecutive module therebetween, wherein the coupling pieces extend from the body part to loop around a receiving space (5) for a hinge pin (7), wherein the coupling pieces form less then a three quarter loop relative to a plane defined by the conveying body.