Conveyor Chain Retaining Member Single Bore Nesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-link conveyor chains in the glass industry have limitations due to the use of twin bores in protective enclosure members, which can complicate assembly and maintenance, and do not provide a continuous uninterrupted flat surface for transporting glass products.
Innovation Solution
A multi-link conveyor chain design featuring single transverse bores in retaining members, allowing for a staggered arrangement of elongate pins and link plates, providing a continuous flat surface and facilitating easy assembly and disassembly, with retaining members having complementarily-shaped convex and concave end faces for nesting and secure pin retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If twin bores are used in protective enclosure members, then pin retention is achieved, but assembly and maintenance become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is segmented into two functional parts: a body portion with a single bore for pin retention, and nested end faces (convex on one retaining member, concave on the adjacent one) for coupling adjacent retaining members. This segmentation allows the retaining member to provide secure pin retention through the single bore while simplifying assembly through the nested end face configuration, eliminating the need for twin bores and complex assembly procedures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional retaining members are used, then pin enclosure is achieved, but continuous flat surface for transport is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent retaining members are coupled through nested end faces where a convex end face of one retaining member fits into a concave end face of the adjacent retaining member. This nesting arrangement allows the retaining members to be closely spaced and aligned, creating a continuous flat upper surface that encloses pins securely while providing an uninterrupted transport surface for glass products.
3Ease of operation
If elongate pins extend beyond link plates, then pin accessibility is improved, but pin head protrusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member acts as an intermediary component between the elongate pin and the external environment. It provides a single bore that receives and retains the elongate pin, allowing the pin to extend beyond the link plates for accessibility while the retaining member's body and nested end faces prevent the pin head from protruding, thus mediating between pin accessibility and surface flatness requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a multi-link conveyor chain which may be used (for example) in the glass industry and to a retaining member (100) for use in the multi-link conveyor chain. The retaining member (100) comprises a main body (2) defining a single transverse bore (5) and is nested with an adjacent retaining member (100)