Multi-Roller Guide Arc Layout for Tensile Member Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning systems experience significant wear and stress on tensile members, such as chains and wire ropes, due to the use of single roller guides, leading to reduced chain life and increased maintenance needs, especially when navigating tight bends.
Innovation Solution
A multi-roller guide system is introduced, featuring a base plate, cover plate, and multiple roller assemblies aligned along an arc path to engage and redirect the tensile member, reducing stress and wear by distributing the load and allowing for a larger bending radius without increasing the footprint or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single roller guide with tight bending radius is used, then the guide can be compact and simple, but wear on the tensile member increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single roller guide is segmented into multiple rollers arranged in an arc path. This segmentation allows the tensile member to follow a gradual curved path through multiple contact points, effectively increasing the bending radius without increasing the overall guide footprint, thereby reducing wear on the tensile member
Solution Approach 2:
The guide transitions from a single-point contact in one dimension to a multi-point contact distributed along an arc path in two dimensions. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve a larger effective bending radius while maintaining a compact footprint by utilizing the arc configuration
2Stress or pressure
If a larger single roller design is used, then internal stresses are reduced, but surface stresses increase due to sliding friction
Solution Approach 1:
The single large roller is segmented into multiple smaller rollers arranged along an arc. This segmentation distributes the tensile member contact across multiple points, reducing sliding friction at each contact point while maintaining the stress-reducing benefits of a larger effective bending radius
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static single roller to dynamic multiple rollers that can rotate independently. This allows the tensile member to engage with multiple rotating contact points, reducing sliding friction and surface wear while maintaining structural integrity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple links are strung together to form the chain circuit, then the chain can navigate the path, but wear at each connection point accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The chain path is segmented into multiple sections by the multi-roller guide, with each roller providing a separate contact point. This segmentation reduces the relative movement and wear at each connection point by distributing the directional change across multiple gentle bends rather than one sharp turn
Solution Approach 2:
The guide changes the geometric parameters of the chain path by implementing a gradual arc-shaped route through multiple rollers. This parameter change reduces the bending angle at each connection point, thereby reducing wear and extending chain life while maintaining the necessary circuit configuration
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
The multi-roller guide system significantly reduces stress on the tensile member and the overall floor cleaning system, extending the life of the chain or wire rope by minimizing wear and maintaining proper tension, while allowing for efficient debris removal without the need for frequent maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
surface stresses on the tensile member greatly increase during conditions of sliding of the tensile member across the roller when the roller does not rotate as freely due to its increased size and added friction
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of roller assemblies including rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, and aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-roller guide is provided that includes a base plate with a cover plate secured thereto and a plurality of roller assemblies with rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, the roller assemblies aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member.