Energy Chain Drive System for Long Travel Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy guiding chains used for long travel distances face significant frictional forces and wear issues, leading to operational unreliability and potential failure due to changes in length between the chain and routed cables.
Innovation Solution
An energy supply device with an energy guiding chain formed by articulated links, featuring a drive device with an electrically actuable motor and control unit for synchronous movement, along with a sensor unit for force detection and a coupling device for flexible connection, reduces frictional forces and ensures reliable operation by applying forces through the drive device rather than mechanical rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If energy guiding chains are used for long travel distances, then the travel distance is extended, but frictional forces between upper and lower strands become very large leading to operational unreliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical gliding operation of energy guiding chains with an active drive device system. Instead of relying on passive sliding between upper and lower strands, the invention introduces drive devices with electric motors that actively propel the chain links, substituting friction-based mechanical movement with controlled electromagnetic actuation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling long travel distances without the frictional forces that would otherwise cause operational failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous energy guiding chain into individually drivable link sections, each equipped with or controlled by separate drive devices. This segmentation allows independent actuation of different chain segments, enabling the system to overcome frictional resistance in long travel applications by applying force at multiple discrete points along the chain rather than relying on continuous gliding contact.
2Adaptability or versatility
If articulated links are used to form the energy guiding chain, then flexibility and routing capability are improved, but wear of articulated connections leads to play between links and change in length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect the position and state of articulated links, providing feedback to a control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor wear and play development in real-time, adjusting drive commands to compensate for length changes. The control unit processes sensor signals to maintain accurate positioning despite wear in the articulated connections, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and length stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static, passive chain structure to a dynamic, actively controlled system. The articulated links remain flexible for routing, but their positions are continuously adjusted and controlled by drive devices based on sensor feedback. This dynamic control compensates for wear-induced play, maintaining length stability while preserving the adaptability benefits of articulated connections.
3Force
If mechanical rigidity is used to move the energy guiding chain, then force transmission is direct, but cables and hoses experience mechanical stress leading to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical force transmission through rigid coupling with individual drive devices on each link. Instead of transmitting force mechanically through the entire chain structure which would stress the cables and hoses, the invention uses electrically actuated drive devices to generate motion at each link independently. This substitution eliminates the transmission of mechanical stress to the routed cables and hoses while maintaining effective force application for chain movement.
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 enhances operational reliability by reducing frictional forces and preventing failure, allowing for easy retrofitting of existing systems and providing fine positioning and emergency braking capabilities without mechanical stress on cables or hoses.
Implementation Method 1
The drive device (8) comprises an electrically actuable drive motor (9)
Implementation Method 2
At least one sensor unit (29) is provided, which is connected to the control unit in terms of signals, with the sensor unit determining a movement of the movable connection area (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy chain device for long travel paths in particular, comprising at least one energy chain (1) for guiding lines, cables, hoses, or the like between a fixed and a movable connection region (4, 3) while forming a curved region (2) between a moving section (5) and a stationary section (6); comprising a number of elements (24) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and which are formed by link plates (25) arranged parallel to one another and by transverse webs (26) that connect said link plates; comprising at least one drive device (8, 15) which is operatively connected to the moving section (5); and comprising a control unit which is connected to the drive device (8, 15) so as to transmit signals and which can be connected to a control device of a device that can be connected to the moving connection region (3), said control unit being connected to the control device so as to transmit signals.