Energy Guide Chain Roller Module for Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy guide chains experience instability and wear on support surfaces due to flexural or buckling forces on rollers when loaded with heavy energy and information transmission lines, leading to deviations from the horizontal plane.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates parallel first and second plate rows with hinged connections and transverse limbs, where rollers are positioned between the plates to project outwardly, allowing the chain to bend and form arcs, thereby distributing weight evenly and preventing wear on the support surface, and a roller module with a yoke-like holding mechanism for secure lateral fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support rollers are used on a single plate row, then the energy guide chain can be displaced on a support surface, but flexural or buckling forces occur at the spindles under heavy loads, leading to instability and deviations from the horizontal plane
Solution Approach 1:
The energy guide chain is divided into two separate plate rows (first and second plate rows) with rollers distributed between them. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple structural elements rather than concentrating it on a single plate row, thereby reducing flexural and buckling forces on individual spindles while maintaining stability under heavy loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane roller support system to a three-dimensional structure with two parallel plate rows. The rollers are positioned between the first and second plates of opposite plate rows, creating a spatial distribution that enhances structural rigidity and resistance to bending moments in the vertical plane.
2Ease of operation
If rollers project laterally outwardly, then the energy guide chain can roll smoothly on the support surface, but the rollers are exposed to lateral obstacles and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The rollers are nested within the spatial structure formed by the two parallel plate rows. Specifically, the rollers are positioned between the first and second plates of opposite plate rows, which laterally enclose them. This nesting arrangement protects the rollers from lateral obstacles and reduces wear while allowing smooth rolling motion on the support surface.
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 configuration ensures substantial stability and prevents wear on the support surface even under heavy loads, allowing the energy guide chain to move smoothly without deviations, enhancing its operational reliability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The rollers (7) are disposed between some of the opposite first and second plates (2, 5) and project beyond the first and second plates (2, 5) at at least one side of the energy guide chain
Implementation Method 2
prevents wear on the support surface
Implementation Method 3
the first plates (2) of each first plate row (1) are hingedly connected together
Implementation Method 4
allowing the chain to bend and form arcs
Data Source
AI summary
A cable carrier for accommodating and guiding cables, comprising parallel first link strands of opposing first links which are connected to each other by means of first cross stays, wherein outside at least one first link strand and parallel to this a second link strand of second links is arranged, which are opposite the first links of the adjacent first link strand and of which at least some are connected by way of second cross stays to the opposite first links, and wherein, between at least some of the opposing first and second links, rollers are arranged which project beyond the first and second links on at least one side of the cable carrier perpendicular to the first and second cross stays.