Conveyor Chain Segmented Links for Low Height Moving Walkways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional moving walkways face challenges with high structural height, fragile design, and polygon effects due to small deflection chain wheels, which can lead to safety issues and complex installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor chain design featuring elongate chain links and connecting elements with a longer pitch than the chain links, allowing for a parallel chain structure that enhances reliability and simplifies installation and maintenance, while compensating for length differences during deflection to prevent polygon effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If small diameter deflection chain wheels are used to reduce structural height, then the structural height is reduced, but polygon effects occur due to insufficient teeth engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor chain is divided into multiple chain links connected by link pins, creating a segmented structure that can flexibly engage with the deflection chain wheel teeth. This segmentation allows the chain to better adapt to the small diameter wheel while maintaining reliable tooth engagement, preventing polygon effects even with reduced structural height.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain links are designed to be pivotably connected, providing dynamic flexibility that allows the chain to conform to the circular path of the small diameter deflection chain wheel. This dynamic capability ensures smooth engagement and prevents the rigid polygon effects that occur with fixed-pitch chains on small wheels.
2Length of stationary object
If conventional fragile designs are used to achieve low structural height, then structural height is reduced, but safety and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor chain incorporates redundant link pins and robust connecting elements that provide built-in safety margins. The design includes backup connection points and overload protection features that prevent catastrophic failure, cushioning against potential safety issues before they occur while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain components utilize composite construction with high-strength materials for critical load-bearing elements like link pins and connecting elements. This allows the chain to achieve the necessary strength and safety factors in a compact package, reducing structural height without compromising reliability.
3Reliability
If complex installation and maintenance procedures are used to ensure safety, then safety is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented chain link design allows individual links or sections to be easily removed, inspected, and replaced without dismantling the entire conveyor system. This modular approach simplifies maintenance procedures while maintaining safety through standardized, pre-engineered connection points that ensure proper reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain design incorporates features that enable straightforward self-inspection and basic maintenance by operators. Visual inspection points, accessible link pins, and obvious wear indicators allow users to perform routine safety checks without complex procedures, while the robust design prevents most issues requiring specialized service.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor chain for a pallet belt of a moving walkway is described. The conveyor chain comprises multiple elongate chain links, which are arranged behind one another at a chain pitch, and which can be subjected to a tensile load by link pins and are coupled so as to be pivotable about a longitudinal center axis of the respective link pin transverse to the longitudinal direction. The conveyor chain furthermore comprises multiple elongate connecting elements that are likewise arranged behind one another and pivotably coupled to one another. Each of the connecting elements is coupled to an associated first link pin with a front end and coupled to an associated second link pin with a rear end. In this case, a connecting element pitch between the first and the second link pin amounts to an integer multiple of the chain pitch.