Drag Chain Rollers for Smooth Energy Guiding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy guiding chains face challenges in moving easily and efficiently over long distances while being economically producible in various dimensions, as they often require complex production of multiple one-piece lower parts and are limited by friction and wear issues.
Innovation Solution
The energy guiding chain features side plates with embedded rollers, inner and outer crossbars that are detachable and pivotable, allowing for a coherent running surface and an elastic snap-in connection for inner crossbars, enabling the same components to function as both inner and outer crossbars, thus simplifying production and allowing for different chain link widths with a single type of side link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If rollers are embedded in side plates to reduce friction and enable longer travel distances, then the chain can move more easily and quietly over longer distances, but the production complexity increases and it becomes uneconomical to produce the required variety of one-piece lower parts
Solution Approach 1:
The chain link is divided into separate components: side plates, inner crossbars, and outer crossbars. The outer crossbars are detachably connected to the side plates, allowing the running surface to be assembled from standardized parts rather than requiring complex one-piece components with embedded rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The same type of side link can serve multiple chain link widths by detachably connecting outer crossbars of different lengths. This universal side link design eliminates the need to produce and stock multiple varieties of one-piece lower parts for different dimensions.
2Strength
If inner crossbars are firmly connected to side plates, then structural strength is improved, but the adaptability to different chain link widths decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between outer crossbars and side plates is made dynamic and adjustable through detachable connections. This allows the same side link to be adapted to different chain link widths by connecting outer crossbars of appropriate lengths, while maintaining structural strength through proper fastening mechanisms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the running surface is made coherent and smooth, then the chain moves more quietly and energy-efficiently, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The running surface is segmented into multiple planar surfaces on the side plates that together form a coherent surface. This segmentation allows each individual surface to be manufactured with standard precision, while the overall coherence is achieved through the detachable connection system that aligns the segments.
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
This design enhances the chain's ability to move smoothly, quietly, and energy-efficiently over longer distances, reducing production complexity and costs by using a single type of side link for various widths, while maintaining effective curvature control in the deflection area.
Implementation Method 1
the rollers embedded in the side plates, which are known from other energy guiding chains, appear to be suitable. However, this would make the production of the lower parts more complex
Implementation Method 2
The inner transverse webs are fastened by means of an elastic, form-fitting snap-in connection, which can be detached with a special tool if necessary.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a drag chain for guiding hoses, cables, and the like, comprising a number of chain links (1) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and which are formed by parallel link plates (11, 12) that are connected into parallel link plate sections and by cross members (31) which connect said link plates. The link plates can be pivoted relative to one another about a pivot axis which is common to each two adjacent link plates. The drag chain can be moved so as to form a loop with an upper run, a lower run, and a deflection region which connects said upper run and lower run, whereby an inner face and an outer face are defined on the chain links with respect to the loop. The cross members (31a) on the outer face of the chain links (1) can be released from the link plate at least at one end and pivoted in order to open the chain link (1), whereas the cross members (31i) on the inner face of the chain links are rigidly connected to the link plates. Rollers (21) are introduced into at least some of the link plates, and the rollers protrude out of the narrow faces (17) of the link plates and can roll on the narrow faces (17) of the link plates of the opposite run when the chain is moved. The rigid connection of the cross members (31i) is produced on the link plate surfaces facing the interior of the chain link.