Kenter Shackle Tooth Geometry for Fatigue-Resistant Chain Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Kenter shackles suffer from high notch stresses and fatigue fractures in the transition zones due to sharp-edged toothing, which cannot be strengthened by increasing wall thickness without altering the outer shape to maintain compatibility with anchor chain links.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates rounded tooth flanks and grooves with a radius of at least 3% of the nominal core diameter, along with a coupling piece that divides the oval shape of the connected half elements and secures them with a grooved pin, reducing deformation and eliminating points of weakness, and features a spreader element for easier disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wall thickness is increased to strengthen the transition zones, then the strength is improved, but the outer shape changes which affects compatibility with anchor chain links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric characteristics to different parts of the same component. The toothing features sharp edges for effective engagement, while the transition zones feature rounded corners with large radii to reduce stress concentrations. This local differentiation allows the sharp toothing to maintain connectivity function while the rounded transition zones prevent stress concentration, eliminating the need to increase overall wall thickness.
2Reliability
If sharp-edged toothing is used for effective engagement, then the connectivity function is improved, but high notch stresses and fatigue fractures occur in transition zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric characteristics to different parts of the same component. The toothing features sharp edges for effective engagement, while the transition zones feature rounded corners with large radii to reduce stress concentrations. This local differentiation allows the sharp toothing to maintain connectivity function while the rounded transition zones prevent stress concentration, eliminating the need to increase overall wall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent explicitly applies curvature to the transition zones by rounding the corners with large radii (at least 3% of the nominal core diameter). This curvature eliminates sharp edges in the transition areas, reducing stress concentration and preventing fatigue fractures, while maintaining the sharp-edged toothing for effective engagement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outer shape is maintained for compatibility, then the adaptability is improved, but the weakened areas cannot be strengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric characteristics to different parts of the same component. The toothing features sharp edges for effective engagement, while the transition zones feature rounded corners with large radii to reduce stress concentrations. This local differentiation allows the sharp toothing to maintain connectivity function while the rounded transition zones prevent stress concentration, eliminating the need to increase overall wall thickness.
Data Source
AI summary
The Invention relates to a Kenter shackle for anchor chains, at least comprising two half elements which can be coupled to one another and a coupling piece element that can be introduced between the half-elements wherein the half elements each have an L-shaped or J-shaped configuration, wherein the external toothing having a plurality of parallel toothing planes is formed at the end of a short connection leg and wherein a receiving chamber is formed at the end of a long connection leg, having an internal toothing with a plurality of parallel toothing planes, into which the external toothing of the short connection leg engages, and wherein the connection legs are connected to one another via a curved clasp. In addition, the receiving chamber in the long leg is extended by means of a cavity above the end side of the external toothing of the short leg and/or above the uppermost toothing plane of the internal toothing pointing towards the clasp.