Noria Transport Chain Mount Configuration for Tray Sag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current noria-type transport devices for bakery products in continuous baking ovens face mechanical constraints due to the offset weight of trays, leading to sagging arms, increased tension, wear, and maintenance costs, as well as friction from guide means that further exacerbate these issues.
Innovation Solution
The device features a drive chain with laterally attached support arms, where each mount has a support surface that rests on another contiguous mount, eliminating the need for guide elements and reducing tension by distributing the weight vertically, and includes alignment surfaces and blocking means to maintain verticality and prevent twisting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If support arms are fixed perpendicularly on the chain to carry trays, then the transport function is achieved, but the offset weight causes arms to sag and chain to deform
Solution Approach 1:
The chain is segmented into rigid links that are articulated together. Each link is a separate structural unit that can be independently strengthened, allowing the chain to maintain its shape while remaining flexible enough to wrap around deflection wheels. The rigid link structure distributes the load from support arms across multiple segments rather than concentrating stress at single points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension to the chain structure by adding vertical bracing elements and diagonal supports that connect the front and back of each link. This creates a three-dimensional rigid frame structure that resists deformation in multiple directions, preventing the chain from bending outward under the offset weight of trays while maintaining its ability to flex vertically for wrapping around wheels.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tension is increased to offset chain deformation, then vertical linearity is maintained, but driving power increases and wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved guide surfaces and rounded transition zones at the deflection wheels and chain guides. These curved elements allow the chain to wrap around wheels smoothly without sharp angles or abrupt direction changes, reducing impact loads and friction. The curved geometry distributes contact forces over a larger area, minimizing localized wear and reducing the power required to drive the chain through the wrapping motion.
3Manufacturing precision
If guide means are added to prevent chain twisting, then arm alignment is maintained, but friction increases and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional external guide means such as side rails, guide wheels, and centering mechanisms that create friction. Instead, the chain's own structure is designed to inherently maintain alignment through its rigid link geometry and articulated connections. The support arms are directly attached to the rigid links, which themselves are designed to remain planar and vertically aligned, eliminating the need for separate guiding components that would generate friction and wear.
4Reliability
If regular lubrication is applied to reduce wear, then part longevity is improved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the chain and support arm connections with self-lubricating features and sealed articulated joints that retain lubrication internally. The rigid link structure incorporates bearing surfaces with inherent lubrication retention capabilities, reducing the frequency of external lubrication applications. The design minimizes exposed friction surfaces and uses material combinations with low friction coefficients, allowing the system to maintain reliable operation with reduced maintenance intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
The transport device of the noria type includes a drive chain having links and being wound around two deflection wheels so as to describe a loop circuit. There is a first, ascending vertical chain strand and a second, descending vertical chain strand. One link of the chain holds a support arm extending in a direction perpendicular to the chain. The support arm is attached laterally to a link by a mount. The mount has a support surface at each of its ends. At least across one of these support surfaces, the mount rests on another, contiguous mount of another support arm attached to another link of the chain, on the ascending strand and descending strand.