Conveyor Chain Return Wheel Counter-Bearing Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for conveying strips of material along production lines are bulky due to numerous parts, require frequent part replacements, and consume significant material for spike production, leading to increased service time and material usage.
Innovation Solution
A system with a bearing means, a chain with driving spikes, and a return wheel that doubles as a counter-bearing means, eliminating the need for a separate return wheel and reducing the number of parts, while optimizing the offset and geometry to enhance penetration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate return wheel and counter-bearing means are used, then the chain can be positioned correctly and spikes can penetrate the strip, but the system becomes bulky with numerous parts
Solution Approach 1:
The return wheel is designed to simultaneously serve as the counter-bearing means, combining two separate functions into a single component. This eliminates the need for a separate counter-bearing means, reducing the number of parts while maintaining the chain positioning and spike penetration functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The return wheel performs multiple functions: it guides the chain back and provides the counter-bearing surface against which the spikes penetrate the strip material. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity while maintaining effectiveness
2Productivity
If numerous parts are used for chain positioning and material pressing, then effective conveyance is achieved, but service time for changing and adjusting parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the return wheel and counter-bearing means into a single component, the number of parts that require changing and adjusting is reduced, thereby decreasing service time while maintaining conveyance effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary counter-bearing means is extracted from the system by using the return wheel to fulfill this function, reducing maintenance requirements and service time
3Reliability
If large-dimension spikes are used on chain links, then good penetration into the strip is ensured, but significant material is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The return wheel provides a counter-bearing surface that changes the mechanical parameters of spike penetration, allowing smaller spikes to achieve effective penetration with reduced material consumption
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1) for conveying a strip of material (20) along a production line, and a production line provided with such a system, the system (1) comprising:a bearing means (10) for the strip of material (20);at least one chain (11) provided with means (111) for driving the strip of material (20);at least one return wheel (12) for the chain (11) to position the chain (11) facing the strip of material (20);characterized in that the return wheel (12) also forms a counter-bearing means for the chain (11) to press said chain against the bearing means (10), so that the means (111) of driving the strip of material can penetrate into the strip of material (20).