Conveyor Chain Segmented Pin Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor chains in the mining industry often fail due to impact loads, leading to costly downtime as the welded-in pins fracture, causing the chain to come apart during production.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates larger diameter connecting pins and flight pins with press fits or retaining rings, along with universal connector assemblies that can articulate and reduce load on these pins, and the use of urethane-coated flight arms to reduce noise and improve durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional conveyor chains with welded-in pins are used, then the chain can be manufactured with standard welding processes, but the pins fracture under impact loads causing chain failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting pin is divided into two separate components: the pin itself and the retaining ring. This segmentation allows the pin to be designed for strength while the retaining ring provides removable retention, preventing fracture failure modes and enabling easy replacement without specialized welding equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the retention mechanism from permanent welding to a removable mechanical retention system using retaining rings. This parameter change allows the pin to be replaced when worn or damaged, significantly improving chain reliability while still using standard manufacturing processes for the individual components.
2Reliability
If the chain is designed to withstand impact loads, then the chain reliability improves, but the pin size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pin assembly into a pin body and a separate retaining ring, the design handles impact loads through proper pin sizing while keeping the retention mechanism simple and standardized. The retaining ring is a simple circular component that does not add structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin is designed as a replaceable component rather than a permanent welded element. When the pin wears or fractures under impact loads, it can be quickly replaced by removing the retaining ring, avoiding the need to replace the entire chain assembly and reducing downtime.
3Device complexity
If welded-in pins are used to connect chain components, then the assembly is simple, but the pins fracture causing the chain to come apart during production
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly is segmented into the pin, retaining ring, and associated components. This allows the pin to be a simple cylindrical element while the retaining ring provides the retention function, separating the structural and retention functions into distinct simple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring design allows the operator to service the pin by simply removing the retaining ring and replacing the pin, without requiring welding equipment or specialized tools. This self-service capability improves reliability by enabling quick replacement of worn pins during maintenance intervals.
Data Source
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AI summary
A version of a conveyor chain that comprises: a plurality of side link assemblies (30), each said side link assembly (30) comprising: two connecting pins (31, 32) and two side straps (33, 34), wherein each side strap has a base (35) and two side strap bosses (37, 38) extending from the base and wherein each side strap boss is capable of receiving one of said connecting pins (31, 32); a plurality of connector assemblies (40); a plurality of flight arm assemblies (50), each said flight arm assembly comprising: two flight pins (51, 52) and two flight arms (53, 54), wherein each flight arm has an elongated portion (55) having a flat, planar bottom surface, and a base portion (56), wherein said base portion (56) has a vertical sprocket opening (59) and two flight arm attachment apertures (57, 58), each flight arm attachment aperture configured to receive one of said flight pins (51, 52); wherein each universal connector assembly (40) is adapted to be connected to a side link assembly (30) and a flight arm assembly (50).