Conveyor Chain Link Interlocking Teeth for Small-Object Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor chains face issues with smaller objects getting trapped between chain links, especially in curves, leading to damage or blockage, and existing solutions are not flexible enough for both horizontal and vertical bends.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor chain link design with an inverted central tooth and notch configuration, increased tooth density, and asymmetrical tooth lengths to minimize gaps between links, allowing for sharper bends while preventing small objects from entering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between chain links is enlarged to allow for bending in curves, then the conveyor chain can navigate curves, but smaller objects may get trapped between chain links
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor chain is divided into multiple chain links, each capable of independent movement and rotation. This segmentation allows the chain to bend in curves while maintaining a consistent structure that prevents small objects from passing through gaps between links.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain links are designed with asymmetric tooth configurations where teeth on one side of the chain link have different lengths than teeth on the other side. This asymmetry creates a interlocking mechanism that prevents small objects from passing between links while still allowing the chain to bend in curves.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If teeth and notches are added to minimize openings between chain links, then smaller objects are prevented from getting stuck, but the chain can only bend in larger radius curves
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the chain link have different tooth configurations. The teeth are strategically positioned and sized in specific locations to create a dense interlocking pattern that prevents small objects from passing through, while still maintaining the flexibility needed for sharp curve navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding more teeth to reduce gaps (which would limit bending capability), the invention inverts the approach by strategically positioning fewer, longer teeth that create sufficient interference to prevent small objects from passing through, while maintaining the ability to bend in sharp curves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pitch of the conveyor chain is reduced to allow for smaller radius curves, then sharper bends are possible, but the distance between chain links at the outer side of the curve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chain links are designed with dynamic pivot mechanisms that allow them to rotate and adapt their position as the chain bends around curves. This dynamic capability enables the chain to maintain consistent link spacing and prevent object entrapment even when navigating sharp curves with reduced pitch.
Data Source
AI summary
Conveyor chain link (1) provided with an upper body (2) and a lower body (3), where the chain link (1) is provided with an upper bearing surface (17), a front end (4) and a rear end (5), where the rear end (5) is provided with a first leg (6) and a second leg (7) arranged spaced apart from each other with a distance corresponding to the width of the front end (4), where the chain link (1) is adapted to be connected to an adjacent chain link (1) through a pivot member (12), where the front end (4) of the upper body (2) is provided with a plurality of front teeth (18) and front notches (19), where the rear end (5) of the upper body (2) is provided with a plurality of rear teeth (20) and rear notches (21), where the length of the teeth (18, 20) differs over the width of the chain link (1), where the ratio between the width of the chain link (1) and the number of teeth (20) of the rear end (5) is less than 10 mm/tooth. The advantage of the invention is that a conveyor chain link that will allow small objects to be conveyed on a conveyor chain is provided.