Conveyor Chain Trolley Detent Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The loosening of the swaged connection between the inner non-rotating wheel portion and the fixed axle in conveyor chains leads to premature wear and reduced chain life, as the inner wheel portion begins to rotate, causing accelerated wear and early failure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a projecting detent on the wheeled chain member that engages a detent receiver on the load bearing wheel's inner member, locking the inner member against rotation and relieving torsional pressure on the swaged connection, thereby preventing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a swaged connection is used to attach the inner wheel portion to the fixed axle, then the initial connection strength is sufficient, but the connection loosens over time causing the inner wheel portion to rotate and wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is segmented into three distinct components: the outer rotating wheel portion, the inner non-rotating wheel portion, and the fixed axle. The detent mechanism further segments the connection system, providing a separate locking function from the swaged connection. This segmentation allows the swaged connection to maintain initial strength while the detent prevents loosening over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent and detent receiver are pre-configured in the wheel assembly before operation begins. This preliminary action of pre-locking the inner wheel portion to the axle prevents the loosening problem from developing during chain operation, thereby extending chain life without requiring frequent maintenance interventions.
2Device complexity
If the inner wheel portion is allowed to rotate on the axle, then the swaged connection structure is simpler, but wear accelerates leading to early chain failure
Solution Approach 1:
The detent acts as an intermediary element between the inner wheel portion and the fixed axle. Rather than relying solely on the swaged connection to prevent rotation, the detent serves as a mediator that mechanically locks the inner wheel portion to the axle, preventing rotation and wear while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the swaged connection is made stronger to prevent loosening, then connection stability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than attempting to create an extremely strong swaged connection through complex manufacturing processes, the invention uses a detent mechanism that copies the locking function of a much stronger connection. The detent provides the necessary stability to prevent loosening while being far easier to manufacture and install than a significantly strengthened swaged connection would be.
Data Source
AI summary
An extended life conveyor chain in which a wheeled chain member (e.g. a chain link or chain supporting trolley) includes a projecting detent which engages a detent receiver on a load bearing wheel inner member locking the inner member against rotation with respect to the link. A rotating outer wheel rotates around the inner member. This relieves torsional pressure on a swaged connection between the inner non-rotating wheel portion and a fixed axle on the link and prevents resulting wear.