Parking Lift Chain Deflection Without Rotating Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated parking devices with chain deflection systems require complex and costly rotatable mountings, leading to increased wear and reliability issues due to rotating bearings, especially under high loads and low speeds.
Innovation Solution
A chain deflection system comprising a roller chain piece and a deflection piece with a curved face, where the deflection piece has a limited degree of freedom in rotation, eliminating the need for rotatable mountings and using roller chains for reduced wear and cost-effectiveness, suitable for low-speed high-load operations like lifting and lowering platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a roller assembly with rotatable mounting is used as the deflection piece, then the chain deflection system can achieve smooth chain direction change, but the device complexity and production costs increase due to required ball bearings and rotating mountings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the rotatable mounting (ball bearing, rotating mechanism) from the deflection piece design. Instead of using a complex rotatable assembly, the patent employs a simple fixed deflection piece with a curved face that guides the chain through geometric shape alone, removing the disturbing rotating components while maintaining chain deflection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the deflection piece itself rotatable to change chain direction, the invention inverts the approach by making the chain rollers rotatable while keeping the deflection piece fixed. The curved face of the fixed deflection piece guides the rotating chain rollers to achieve smooth chain direction change without requiring the deflection piece to rotate
2Reliability
If rotatable mountings with ball bearings are used in the deflection piece, then the chain can be deflected effectively, but wear and reliability issues increase due to rotating bearings under high loads and low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the ball bearing and rotating mounting components from the deflection piece, eliminating the source of wear and reliability issues. The fixed deflection piece with curved face replaces the rotatable assembly, completely removing the harmful rotating bearings from the system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts which component rotates: instead of the deflection piece rotating, the chain rollers rotate while the deflection piece remains fixed. This inversion transfers the rotation to the chain assembly where it is already present, eliminating the need for additional rotating bearings in the deflection piece and reducing wear
3Device complexity
If a fixed deflection piece with limited rotation freedom is used, then production complexity and costs are reduced, but the ability to accommodate chain movement variations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic elements (rotating chain rollers) to compensate for the static nature of the fixed deflection piece. The rotating rollers adapt to chain movement variations through their inherent rotation capability, providing the necessary flexibility without requiring the deflection piece itself to be movable or complex
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 solution reduces production complexity, enhances reliability by avoiding wear-prone rotating bearings, and provides a cost-effective chain deflection system suitable for automated parking devices and other applications, ensuring efficient operation under high loads and low speeds.
Implementation Method 1
roller chains are preferably used in which the chain parts bearing on the face are mounted so as to be rotatable in the respective chain link plates, thus permitting a rolling movement of the moved chain piece in relation to the deflection piece
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an automated parking device comprising a frame, on which at least one movable, in particular raisable or lowerable platform is provided, and the automated parking device is equipped with a chain, part of which forms at least part of a chain deflection system. The chain deflection system consists of at least one chain piece, preferably a roller chain piece, and a deflection piece.