Deflection Wheel Tensioning for Self-Adjusting Conveyor Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor chains used in crate washers experience undesirably high play due to stretching over time, making manual retensioning complex, especially when partially submerged in water.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment device with a movable support and clamping means that automatically pre-tensions the deflection wheel, using a coil spring and ratchet mechanism to maintain optimal tension and prevent chain play, allowing for self-adjustment and minimizing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conveyor chains are used for transporting crates, then transport reliability is improved, but chain play increases over time due to stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection wheel is mounted on a movable support that can dynamically adjust its position along the conveyor chain. This allows the system to adapt to chain stretching over time by repositioning the deflection wheel to maintain optimal chain tension and prevent excessive play, thereby preserving transport reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the deflection wheel along the conveyor chain. By adjusting the distance between the deflection wheel and other components, the chain tension can be optimized to compensate for stretching, maintaining stable operational parameters despite changes in chain length over time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual retensioning is performed to reduce chain play, then chain tension is improved, but operational complexity increases especially when submerged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment through the movable support mechanism that automatically repositions the deflection wheel in response to chain stretching. This eliminates the need for manual retensioning operations, especially beneficial when the conveyor is submerged in water where manual access is difficult. The system serves itself by detecting and compensating for tension changes autonomously.
3Device complexity
If deflection wheel position is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but chain play cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection wheel transitions from a fixed position to a dynamically adjustable position on a movable support. This added degree of freedom enables the system to compensate for chain stretching and maintain stable chain tension, while the mechanical design of the movable support keeps the complexity increase minimal and manageable.
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 simplifies the adjustment process, ensuring consistent chain tension without manual intervention, reducing wear and maintaining efficient operation even in submerged conditions.
Implementation Method 1
using a coil spring and ratchet mechanism to maintain optimal tension
Implementation Method 2
using a coil spring and ratchet mechanism to maintain optimal tension
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
Transport device (1) for transporting goods (10), and in particular packaging, beverage crates, and the like, comprising a first transport device (2) having a first circulating transport means (22) and a second transport device (4) having a second circulating transport means (42), wherein the goods (10) to be transported are to be received between these circulating transport means (22, 42) and transported by them, wherein each of these circulating transport means (22, 42) is guided around at least two deflection wheels (24, 44) and wherein at least one adjustment device (6) is provided to adjust the position of at least one of these deflection wheels (24, 44). According to the invention, this adjustment device (6) has a movable support (62) on which the deflection wheel (24) is rotatably arranged and a first clamping means (64) which pre-tensions this support (62) in a predetermined direction (R).