Conveyor Chain Support Element Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor chains in crop conveying devices for combine harvesters experience significant wear due to lever moments applied by conveyor bars, leading to high forces on chain links and complex structures that require complete replacement of conveyor bars and chains.
Innovation Solution
A support element is integrated on the side of the conveyor bar, supported on top of a subsequent chain link, reducing wear and allowing for easy retrofitting and detachable attachment of conveyor bars, enabling individual replacement or upgrading of the conveyor chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the support section is supported on the subsequent inner plates, then the conveyor chain structure is established, but relatively large forces are introduced into the chain link with the support section
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the chain link structure into modular components: outer plates, inner plates, and conveyor bars as separate replaceable units. This segmentation allows the conveyor bar to be detached and replaced independently from the chain links, reducing the force burden on individual chain links while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic replaceability through detachable connections between conveyor bars and chain links. The conveyor bars can be quickly attached and detached from the chain links, allowing the system to adapt to wear and force distribution changes without replacing the entire chain assembly.
2Ease of operation
If additional means are provided to attach the conveyor bar to the chain link, then the conveyor bar can be secured, but the chain link structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into simple, standardized components: holes in outer plates and corresponding pins or fasteners. This segmentation creates a straightforward attachment process while keeping individual chain link structures simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer plates serve multiple functions: they form part of the chain link structure, provide attachment points for conveyor bars through holes, and enable detachable connections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized attachment components, simplifying the overall structure.
3Strength
If conveyor bars are welded to the chain links, then the attachment is secure, but the entire conveyor chain must be replaced when conveyor bars wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the conveyor bar and chain link into separate, detachable components connected by pins or fasteners through holes in the outer plates. This segmentation allows the conveyor bar to be replaced independently without affecting the chain links, enabling easy repair while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables selective replacement of worn conveyor bars while retaining the chain links and outer plates. The detachable connection allows worn conveyor bars to be discarded and new ones attached to the same chain links, recovering the value of the chain link components and reducing overall replacement costs.
4Reliability
If the conveyor chain is replaced completely, then wear issues are resolved, but the cost and time for replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the conveyor system into replaceable conveyor bars and permanent chain links. This segmentation allows only the worn conveyor bars to be replaced while keeping the chain links in service, significantly reducing replacement time and maintaining system reliability without complete chain replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables selective discarding of worn conveyor bars while recovering and reusing the chain links and outer plates. This approach extends the overall service life of the conveyor chain assembly by allowing incremental replacement of only the worn components, reducing both time and cost of maintenance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a conveyor chain (9) for a crop conveying device (3), which consists of articulated chain links (17) formed from alternating pairs of outer plates (18) and inner plates (19), on which conveyor bars (10) extending transversely to the chain links (17) are arranged spaced apart from each other, wherein at least one support element (22, 30) is arranged on the side of the respective conveyor bar (10) facing the conveyor chain (9), which is supported on the upper side of a subsequent chain link (17).