Conveyor Chain Links With Offset Mechanical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport chains with links that form zero-gap configurations have a drawback of high pitch, limiting the minimum radius of curvature and causing open spaces between links, which can lead to accidents and article loss during speed changes or curve navigation.
Innovation Solution
A transport chain design featuring links with a mechanical coupling that allows rotation about an axis perpendicular to the support surface, enabling a high width/pitch ratio and preventing open spaces between links, achieved through sliding articulations and rolling friction to reduce wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If links are designed with plate-like heads extending to engage curved seats to eliminate open spaces, then support surface continuity is improved, but longitudinal dimensions and pitch increase
Solution Approach 1:
The link is divided into two separate link elements that are coupled articulationally. This segmentation allows each element to be more compact while maintaining the overall functionality of the link, thereby reducing the longitudinal dimensions without compromising support surface continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical coupling is positioned spaced from the axis of rotation, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than extending longitudinally. This dimensional shift allows the link elements to connect effectively without increasing the longitudinal pitch, achieving compact link design while maintaining support continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pitch between links is reduced to enable tighter curves, then adaptability to curved paths is improved, but support surface continuity deteriorates due to open spaces forming
Solution Approach 1:
The link elements are coupled articulationally, allowing dynamic adjustment of their relative positions. This enables the links to adapt to curved paths with reduced pitch while maintaining support surface continuity through the articulatory movement that prevents gap formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical coupling acts as an intermediary between the two link elements, mediating their relative movement while maintaining continuous support surface. This intermediary mechanism allows the links to navigate curves effectively without creating open spaces.
3Device complexity
If mechanical coupling is positioned at the axis of rotation to connect link elements, then structural simplicity is improved, but longitudinal dimensions increase due to required support surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling is deliberately positioned asymmetrically spaced from the axis of rotation rather than at the center. This asymmetric positioning optimizes the distribution of forces and moments, allowing compact link dimensions while maintaining structural integrity and simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the mechanical coupling spaced from the axis of rotation, the connection utilizes the lateral dimension effectively. This dimensional arrangement reduces the longitudinal footprint of the link while maintaining the necessary structural simplicity for connecting link elements.
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 design allows for a high width/pitch ratio, maintaining support surface continuity and reducing wear, enabling tighter curves and safer operation by eliminating open spaces and minimizing wear, with potential width/pitch ratios exceeding 2.8.
Implementation Method 1
sliding articulations and rolling friction to reduce wear
Implementation Method 2
the pivot comprises a roller slidingly housed in the eyelet, said roller moving within the eyelet by rolling against the walls of the eyelet
Data Source
AI summary
A transport chain for transporting articles includes a sequence of links. Each link defines a substantially flat support surface for the articles to be transported, and wherein each link is hingedly coupled with a previous link in the sequence. Each link includes a respective first link element defining a first portion of the support surface of the link and a respective second link element defining a second portion of the support surface of the link. The first link element and the second link element are hingedly coupled with each other through mechanical coupling allowing the first link element to rotate with respect to the second link element, and vice versa, about a rotation axis perpendicular to the support surface of the link. The mechanical coupling is spaced from the rotation axis.