Elastic Separating Link for Energy Chains
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy guide chains face challenges in securely attaching transverse floors, which can lead to operational issues and potential damage due to loose components, and previous solutions either complicate assembly or require additional components.
Innovation Solution
A separation bar with selectively adjustable gap dimensions through bending areas, allowing for a minimized gap size that ensures secure attachment without additional fastening components, and featuring flexible latching noses for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the insertion opening is made large enough to allow easy insertion of transverse floors, then assembly ease is improved, but the transverse floors can be unintentionally removed or released during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The separating web incorporates elastic bending areas that allow dynamic adjustment of the insertion opening gap dimension. During assembly, the bending areas flex to permit easy insertion of transverse floors through the insertion opening. Once assembled, the elastic material returns to its original position, automatically closing the gap to minimize the gap dimension and prevent unintentional removal of transverse floors during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the physical property of elastic materials to change the gap dimension parameter of the insertion opening based on operational state. When the separating web is in its assembled state, the gap dimension is minimized for secure attachment. During assembly, the gap dimension is temporarily increased through elastic deformation to facilitate easy insertion of transverse floors.
2Reliability
If additional fastening components or covers are added to secure transverse floors, then secure attachment is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separating web's elastic bending areas provide self-service functionality by automatically securing transverse floors through the elastic closure mechanism. The material itself performs the fastening function through its elastic properties, eliminating the need for separate fastening components, covers, or additional attachment mechanisms. The elastic material self-regulates the gap dimension to maintain secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural support function and the fastening/securement function into a single integrated separating web component. The elastic bending areas are incorporated directly into the separating web, combining the divider structure with the attachment mechanism, thereby eliminating the need for separate fastening components and reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If additional fastening components or covers are added to secure transverse floors, then secure attachment is improved, but assembly time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bending areas provide self-service fastening by automatically securing transverse floors through elastic closure without requiring additional fastening operations. The material itself performs the attachment function, eliminating the need for separate fastening steps and reducing assembly time while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fastening function from separate fastening components and integrates it directly into the separating web's elastic bending areas. This extraction eliminates the need for additional fastening operations and components, streamlining the assembly process and reducing assembly time while maintaining secure attachment of transverse floors.
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 enables easy and fast assembly of transverse floors with a more stable connection, preventing unintentional removal and reducing assembly time, while maintaining secure attachment even under load.
Implementation Method 1
the separating web (20, 30, 40, 50) has associated with each recess (22, 32, 42, 52) a pronounced bending area (23, 33, 53), wherein the bending of the bending area allows the gap dimension of the insertion opening (24, 34, 44, 54) for the associated recess (22, 32, 42, 52) to be changed selectively
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 2C~3B
Figure 4A~5(D)
AI summary
The invention relates to a separating link (20; 30; 40; 50) for an energy chain (10) made of chain links which have two side link plates (11) that are connected together by two transverse webs (12) at least in the case of some chain links. The separating link (20; 30; 40; 50) has at least one elongated recess (22), which is designed as a through-hole for a transverse base (18), in the central part (21B; 31B; 51B) of the separating link, said recess opening into a narrow side of the separating link via an insertion opening (24; 34; 44; 54) such that a transverse base can be inserted through the insertion opening (24; 34; 44; 54). According to the invention, the separating link (20; 30; 40; 50) has a respective bending region (23; 43; 53) for each recess (22), the gap width of the insertion opening (24; 34; 44: 54) of the corresponding recess (22) being modifiable by means of the bend of said bending region. In this manner, the gap width of the insertion opening (24; 34; 44; 54) can be reduced to a width (C1) which is small in comparison to the clear width (W) of the recess (22), in particular in the assembled state of the separating link, whereby, among others, an inserted transverse base is secured.