Curved-Tooth Chain Conveyor Drive for Low-Jerk Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain conveyors face issues with their drive units, particularly regarding the transmission of driving forces, which can cause jerking and torque, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to the conveyor system.
Innovation Solution
A caterpillar-type drive unit with drive teeth having curved surfaces on the side, directed towards the travel direction, to transmit forces via the central axis of the chain pins, minimizing torque and jerking, and allowing for a compact design that can be mounted inside the conveyor chain loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If drive surfaces are placed on top of the drive teeth, then driving force transmission is achieved, but torque is generated causing the drive teeth to turn and jerk the drive chain and conveyor structure
Solution Approach 1:
The drive surfaces are formed as curved surfaces on the side surfaces of the drive teeth, with centers of curvature located away from the middle point of chain links towards the central axis of chain pins. This curvature geometry redirects the force transmission path to pass through the area between chain pin central axes, eliminating torque generation and preventing jerking of the drive chain and conveyor structure.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact drive unit design is implemented inside the conveyor chain loop, then space is saved and vertical structure is reduced, but the drive mechanism must be highly integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is integrated inside the conveyor chain loop by combining the drive chain with the conveyor chain structure. The drive chain runs within the closed loop configuration of the conveyor chain, merging the drive mechanism with the conveyor structure to achieve a compact design with reduced vertical space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive chain is nested inside the closed loop configuration of the conveyor chain. This nesting arrangement allows the drive mechanism to be housed within the existing conveyor chain loop, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the overall footprint of the conveyor system.
3Power
If drive forces are transmitted through conventional tooth configurations, then power transmission is achieved, but the chain pitch must be larger to accommodate the drive mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The curved drive surfaces with specifically positioned centers of curvature enable efficient power transmission through optimized force vectors. This curvature geometry allows for shorter chain pitch (preferably shorter than 70 mm) while maintaining effective power transmission, as the curved surfaces engage more efficiently with the driven elements compared to conventional flat or top-mounted drive surfaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces jerking and torque, enabling a shorter chain pitch, improved force control, and allows for both forward and reverse conveyor operation, enhancing durability and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
curved drive surfaces for transmitting driving forces from the drive unit to the conveyor chain... force resultants caused by force vectors are directed so that they pass via an area between central axis of the chain pins
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of guide rolls supported rotatably to the first and second chain links by means of the chain pins
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A drive unit, a chain conveyor and a method of conveying objects and material. The drive unit (10) comprises a drive chain (13) comprising several protruding drive teeth (18) which are arranged in engagement with a conveyor chain assembly (3). The drive teeth comprise curved drive surfaces (19) on their side surfaces.