Drag Chain with Interlink Springs for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy guiding chains lack flexibility, mobility, and ease of assembly, are unstable at high installation heights, and cannot be easily adapted to different inclinations or cable diameters, making them unsuitable for applications with high requirements.
Innovation Solution
An energy guiding chain with modular links that can be plugged together, featuring a spring element between each link to prestress and stabilize the chain, allowing for adjustable flexibility and easy assembly, with snap-in connections that support the spring elements and enable flexible orientation without specific installation direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid casing structure is used to protect cables, then protection against wear and tear is improved, but flexibility and mobility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The energy guiding chain is divided into multiple individual links that can move relative to each other. Each link contains cable protection elements, and the articulated connections between links allow the chain to bend and flex while maintaining protection. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both protection (through the casing in each link) and flexibility (through the articulated joints between links).
Solution Approach 2:
The chain uses articulated links with casing elements that can flex relative to each other, creating a flexible protective structure. The casing parts are designed to allow controlled movement while maintaining protection, enabling the chain to adapt to different positions and orientations while protecting the cables inside.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed structural elements are used to maintain stability, then structural stability is improved, but ease of assembly is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The chain is composed of standardized, modular links that can be assembled in sequence. Each link is a self-contained unit with standardized connection interfaces, allowing for easy assembly by simply connecting links together. This modular segmentation maintains structural stability while dramatically improving ease of assembly compared to fixed, non-modular structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated connections between links allow the chain to dynamically adapt to different configurations and positions. The joints provide controlled movement while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the chain to stabilize in various orientations without requiring complex fixed mounting structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If articulated connections are used to enable movement, then flexibility is improved, but stability above certain heights is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements provide adjustable prestressing forces that can be optimized for different chain configurations and heights. By modifying the spring characteristics (stiffness, preload), the chain can maintain stability at various heights while preserving flexibility. The parameter of spring force can be tuned to achieve the desired balance between stability and flexibility for specific applications.
4Ease of manufacture
If standardized links are used for assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but adaptability to different diameters is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized links are designed with universal features that allow them to accommodate different cable diameters and configurations. The articulated connections and casing elements can adapt to various sizes while maintaining the same basic link structure, enabling easy assembly without sacrificing adaptability to different applications.
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 provides a stable, easily assembled, and adaptable energy guiding chain that can handle varying inclinations and cable diameters, ensuring reliable protection and routing of cables and lines across different terrains and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a separate spring element is inserted between each two adjacent links, which prestresses the adjacent links in a preferred orientation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drag chain (10) comprising a plurality of links (12), which can be connected to each other by insertion in a longitudinal direction A and can be swiveled in relation to each other and together form a guide channel for accommodating at least one cable (56) or one line. A separate spring element (54) is inserted between each pair of adjacent links (12), which spring element preloads the adjacent links (12) into a preferred orientation.