Integrated Rivet Wire Tie Strap for Saw Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Saw chains face issues with loose rivets during operation, scrap material in manufacturing, and difficulty in manipulating small rivets and links, particularly for small saw chains.
Innovation Solution
A formed wire tie strap with integrated rivets is fabricated, where the tie strap and rivets are formed from a single piece of wire, reducing scrap material and enhancing durability by preventing rivet rotation relative to the tie strap, and allowing for a wider range of rivet designs and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate rivets are used to couple links, then the saw chain can be assembled, but the rivets can come loose during operation and produce scrap material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rivet and tie strap into a single integrated component formed from one continuous piece of wire. The rivet is formed by bending the wire back on itself, creating an integrated structure where the rivet cannot separate from the tie strap, eliminating loose rivets and associated scrap material.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire is segmented into functional portions during forming - a tie strap portion and a rivet portion - but remains a continuous integrated structure. This segmentation of function within unity allows the rivet to be positioned and formed while maintaining connection to the tie strap, preventing loss of components.
2Length of moving object
If small rivets and links are used for small saw chains, then the saw chain size is reduced, but manipulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the rivet and tie strap into one integrated piece, the number of separate small components is reduced. This makes assembly easier as there are fewer separate small parts to handle and align, while still achieving the compact saw chain size through the integrated design.
3Loss of substance
If integrated rivets are formed from a single piece of wire, then scrap material is reduced and durability is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rivet is formed by bending the wire back on itself during the tie strap manufacturing process, before final assembly. This preliminary forming of the rivet structure eliminates the need for separate rivet manufacturing and assembly operations, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the integrated design.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Embodiments herein provide formed wire tie strap for a saw chain. Embodiments also provide a saw chain including one or more formed wire tie straps. The formed wire tie strap may include a body with one or more integrated rivets extending from the body. In some embodiments, the body may be substantially flat. The rivet may include a rivet head configured to engage a rivet hole of an opposing tie strap and a shoulder configured to engage a rivet hole of a connecting link, such as a drive link. Some embodiments of the formed wire tie strap may include a pair of integrated rivets extending from the body. Some embodiments may include a rivet hole disposed in the body of the formed wire tie strap.