Modular Conveyor Chain Link With Replaceable Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor chain links with integrated plastic spring elements suffer from decreased spring force over time under continuous loading, making it difficult to reliably transport holding adapters, and require entire chain link replacement when damaged, leading to increased maintenance efforts.
Innovation Solution
A modular chain link design with a separate base body, thrust body, and spring element, allowing for easy replacement of damaged components and enabling the use of suitable materials for spring elements like metal springs to achieve desired spring force and durability, along with features like recesses and latching mechanisms for secure guidance and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic spring elements are integrated into one-piece chain links, then the chain links have simple structure and easy manufacture, but the spring force decreases over time under continuous loading
Solution Approach 1:
The chain link is divided into separate components: a base body, a thrust body, and a spring element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the spring element can be made from materials with superior elastic properties while the base body and thrust body can be designed for ease of manufacture. The separate components are assembled together to form the complete chain link, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and long-term reliability.
2Device complexity
If the entire chain link is replaced when a part is damaged, then the chain link structure remains simple, but the assembly work and maintenance time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the chain link into replaceable components (base body, thrust body, spring element), the invention enables selective replacement of only the damaged part rather than the entire chain link. This maintains relatively simple device structure while dramatically improving ease of repair and reducing maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the spring element and thrust body as separate, removable components from the chain link structure. This allows these components to be taken out and replaced independently when damaged, without requiring replacement of the entire chain link or separation from the conveyor chain.
3Reliability
If metal spring elements are used instead of plastic, then the spring force and durability improve, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly work increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is segmented as a separate component that can be manufactured from metal or other durable materials with superior elastic properties. This segmentation allows the spring element to be optimized for durability and spring force while the overall chain link structure remains relatively simple in design and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the spring element from plastic to metal or other suitable materials, which fundamentally improves the spring force characteristics and durability. This material parameter change is enabled by the segmented design that allows independent selection of materials for different components.
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 design enhances the reliability of transporting holding adapters by maintaining consistent spring force and simplifies maintenance by allowing individual component replacement, reducing assembly work and ensuring correct orientation and secure coupling of chain links.
Implementation Method 1
At least one spring element is fastened between the thrust body and the base body. The elastic webs allow the pusher body to be pressed vertically elastically upwards relative to the base body
Implementation Method 2
The base body has lateral friction roller pressure surfaces against which friction rollers can be pressed to drive the conveyor chain
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Chain link (3, 4) of a conveyor chain (2) of a conveying device for conveying objects suspended from holding adapters (11), comprising: - a base body (5, 6) and - a push body (7) arranged vertically elastically connected to the base body (5, 6) on a lower side of the base body (5, 6), - wherein the base body (5, 6) comprises: ∘ lateral friction roller contact surfaces (51, 61) to which friction rollers can be pressed for driving the conveyor chain (2), ∘ coupling sections (53, 54, 63, 64) formed at the ends of the base body (5, 6) spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction (x) for pivotable connection with a coupling section (53, 54, 63, 64) of a base body (5, 6) of an adjacent chain link (3, 4), and ∘ a leading edge (59, 69) extending from a top side. molded bearing (55, 65) extending from the base body (5, 6) for supporting running or guide rollers (9, 10),- wherein at least one recess (75) for receiving a coupling piece (111) of a head part (113) of a holding adapter (11) for holding an object to be conveyed is provided on a bottom side (72) of the push body (7), wherein - the push body (7) has at least one holding arm (76), at least one section of which is vertically displaceable in a recess (56, 66) of the base body (5, 6), and wherein - at least one spring element (8) is attached between the push body (7) and the base body (5, 6).