Elastic Conveyor Chain Link for Wrinkle-Free Adapter Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor chain links with thrust bodies connected via swiveling connections face challenges in accumulating holding adapters, leading to issues in transporting objects like bags and clothing without causing wrinkles or mechanical friction.
Innovation Solution
The chain link features a vertically elastic connection between the pusher body and the base body using spring elements, allowing the pusher body to be easily lifted when adapters accumulate, reducing friction and preventing wrinkles, with spring elements designed as spring leaves at an angle between 5° and 30° for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thrust bodies are rigidly connected to chain links, then pushing force is strong, but holding adapters cannot be accumulated and items become wrinkled
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust body is connected to the chain link via a spring element instead of a rigid connection, making the system dynamic. The spring element allows the thrust body to move vertically relative to the chain link, enabling adaptation to accumulation conditions while maintaining pushing capability during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element changes the vertical position parameter of the thrust body based on operational conditions. During transport, the spring maintains the thrust body in a position that provides strong pushing force; during accumulation, the spring allows the thrust body to move upward, reducing friction and enabling smooth accumulation.
2Force
If thrust bodies are rigidly connected to chain links, then pushing force is strong, but friction increases and items become wrinkled
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element creates a dynamic connection that adjusts the thrust body's position. During accumulation, the spring allows upward movement of the thrust body, reducing contact friction with the holding adapter and preventing wrinkles on transported items.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and reduces the impact and friction forces between the thrust body and the holding adapter during accumulation, preventing damage and wrinkles to the transported items.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spring elements are used for elastic connection, then accumulation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrated directly into the chain link structure, merging the elastic connection function with the existing chain link design. This integration minimizes additional components and simplifies the overall structure while enabling accumulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element functions as a flexible component that provides the necessary elastic connection. By using a spring element that can be integrated into the chain link, the design achieves accumulation capability without significantly increasing device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If spring elements connect thrust body to base body, then detachment is easier, but connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides a dynamic connection that is strong during transport (when the thrust body is pressed against the holding adapter) and allows easy detachment during accumulation (when the spring permits upward movement). The dynamic nature of the spring connection satisfies both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-configured to provide sufficient connection strength during transport while inherently allowing detachment when accumulation forces are applied. This preliminary design ensures both strong connection and easy detachment without requiring additional mechanisms.
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 enables reliable transportation of holding adapters and objects, minimizing back pressure and preventing creasing of items, while allowing easy detachment and accumulation at predetermined points, reducing friction and maintaining stability.
Implementation Method 1
the pusher body (23) is vertically elastically connected to the base body (211, 221) by a plurality of spring elements (24)
Implementation Method 2
the spring elements are designed as spring leaves connecting the base body to the thrust body at an oblique angle
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A chain link (21, 22) of a conveyor chain (2) of a conveying device for conveying objects suspended from holding adapters (5) has a base body (211, 221) and a push body (23) integrally formed on an underside of the base body (211, 221), wherein the base body (211, 221) has lateral friction roller contact surfaces (25) against which friction rollers can be pressed to drive the conveyor chain (2), coupling sections (212, 213, 222, 223) integrally formed at the ends of the base body (211, 221) spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction (x) for pivotable connection with an adjacent chain link (21, 22), and a bearing (215, 225) integrally formed on an upper side of the base body (211, 221) for supporting running or guide rollers (3, 4), wherein the push body (23) is connected vertically elastically to the base body (211, 221),wherein at least one recess (232) is provided on the underside of the push body (23) for the positive-locking reception of a coupling piece (54), a head part (51), or a holding adapter (5) for holding an object to be conveyed. Furthermore, a conveyor chain (2) and a conveying device for conveying objects suspended from holding adapters (5) are described.