Energy Guiding Chain Catch Hook Prevents Guide Channel Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy guiding systems with vertically suspended chains face issues of the chains moving out of guide channels during acceleration, leading to potential damage or collision with other components.

Innovation Solution

A guide channel design with parallel sides, a catch hook, and a catch hook holder that limits movement towards the sides, ensuring the chain remains securely within the channel through a catch hook and holder interaction, preventing outward movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the energy guiding chain is guided in a guide channel to prevent swinging, then the chain stability is improved, but the chain can still move out of the guide channel toward the opposite strand during acceleration causing collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain stabilityVSAvoidchain security in guide channel
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A catch hook is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the energy guiding chain to the guide channel structure. The catch hook engages with a catch hook holder mounted on the guide channel, creating a mechanical linkage that prevents the chain from moving out of the guide channel during acceleration while maintaining the guide channel's stabilizing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The catch hook and catch hook holder arrangement provides preliminary restraint against the harmful motion of the chain moving toward the opposite strand. By pre-positioning the catch hook to engage with the holder, the system counteracts the acceleration-induced movement before it can cause collision or damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If the catch hook projects over the guide channel side to engage with the holder, then the chain is secured more reliably, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain security in guide channelVSAvoidguide channel structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the catch hook attached to the energy guiding chain, the catch hook holder mounted on the guide channel, and the engagement interface between them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance while providing reliable chain security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4446613B1Energy guiding system for securing a vertically suspended energy guiding chain
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 KABELSCHLEPP GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG
  • EP4446613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4446613B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4446613B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an energy guidance system comprising a guide channel (1.1), a vertically suspended energy guidance chain (3), a catch hook (8), and a catch hook holder (9.1). The catch hook (8) is connected to a segment (7) of the energy guidance chain, with a section of the catch hook (8) projecting over at least one side (2.1, 2.2) of the guide channel (1.1). The catch hook holder (9.1) has a clearance (10) which is formed externally next to one of the sides (2.1, 2.2) of the guide channel (1.1) in the direction of the opposite movable section (11) and which extends vertically downwards from an entry opening (12), wherein in a position (13) the catch hook (8) engages in the clearance (10) of the catch hook holder (9.1).