Energy Guide Chain Deformable Joint Element Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy guide chains face issues with wear and abrasion due to friction in joint connections, particularly in clean room and food production environments, and suffer from manufacturing tolerances leading to length differences and complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a snap connection joint element that connects neighboring tabs across the longitudinal direction, using elastic deformable plastic for the joint elements and mirror-symmetric design to ensure identical components and prevent length differences, along with a swivel horn for secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pivot pins and corresponding bearings are used for articulated connection between adjacent links, then the energy chain achieves effective articulation and movement, but wear and abrasion occur due to friction, which is undesirable in clean room or food manufacturing environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pivot pin and bearing system with a press-fit connection between tabs and a joint element. The joint element features a recess that receives the tab in a press-fit manner, eliminating the need for pivot pins and bearings that generate friction and wear. This substitution maintains articulated movement capability while removing the harmful friction-based wear mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction where the joint element and tabs are made from different materials with complementary properties. The joint element is made from a material that allows press-fit connection, while tabs are made from a different material optimized for connection strength. This material differentiation enables wear-free articulation while maintaining connection reliability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If mirror-symmetrical chain links are used in both strands, then wear and abrasion are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases due to requiring different injection molds for each strand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal joint element design that can be used in both the first and second strands of the energy chain. The joint element features a recess that can receive tabs from either strand, and the connection geometry is designed to work symmetrically in both strands. This universality eliminates the need for different injection molds for each strand while maintaining the wear-free press-fit connection.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If different shaped chain links are used to reduce wear, then low-wear performance is achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to different angular limits, clearances, and strand lengths caused by manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric tab designs in different strands that are compensated by the symmetric joint element. The first tab in the first strand and the second tab in the second strand have different geometries optimized for their respective strands, but the joint element's recess is designed to receive both tab types symmetrically. This approach allows each tab to be optimized for its strand while maintaining consistent strand lengths and clearances across both strands.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If press fit connection is used to assemble chain links and joint elements, then wear-free operation is achieved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct modular components: tabs with connection elements on the chain links, and a separate joint element with a recess. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes, and the press-fit connection is designed as a simple insert operation. The modular design reduces assembly complexity compared to integrated designs while maintaining the wear-free press-fit connection.
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 solution reduces wear and abrasion, simplifies assembly, ensures identical fastening lengths, and enhances stability by using a snap connection and mirror-symmetric design, while maintaining material efficiency and reducing the number of required components.
Implementation Method 1
the joint element is made of an elastically deformable plastic (14) and is designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the longitudinal center plane (S2) of the energy guide chain (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~4B
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3A~3E
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy chain (1) for guiding cables, hoses, or the like, with several links (2, 3) forming two parallel link strands connected by crossbars and articulated relative to each other, wherein the articulated connection between adjacent links (2, 3) is formed by a joint element (5) which is elastically deformable in the articulated direction of the links and is designed as a separate component. According to the invention, the joint element (5) has at least one first snap element (56) which interacts with a corresponding second snap element (36A, 36B) of the first link (3) of two adjacent links (2, 3), wherein the first and second snap elements form a snap connection (56, 36A, 36B) which secures the joint element (5) to the first link (3) of the two adjacent links (2, 3) in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.