Plate-Link Chain Link Assembly Without Welded L-Bends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain links in plate-link chains for conveyors face weaknesses at the L-shaped cross-section, where weld seams or bending points can fail, and high-strength steels with spring-elastic properties cannot be welded or bent, leading to potential material failure and increased manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
The chain link design features two flat side walls connected by separate force introduction components that protrude outward at right angles, forming an L-shaped cross-section through interlocking connections, allowing for high-strength materials without welding or bending, and are secured via pegs and slots for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If weld seams or bending points are used to form the L-shaped cross-section of chain links, then the chain link can be manufactured with integrated structure, but the weld seams or bending points become weak points that can fail under load
Solution Approach 1:
The chain link is divided into separate components: the side wall element and the force introduction component. These segments are connected through interlocking geometry (peg and slot) rather than welding or bending, eliminating weak points while maintaining structural integrity and allowing use of high-strength materials throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The force introduction component and side wall element are combined through interlocking connection to form the L-shaped cross-section. This merging achieves the integrated structural effect without welding or bending, as the components are joined as separate high-strength elements that together form the required geometry.
2Strength
If high-strength steels with spring-elastic properties are used, then the chain link gains higher strength, but these materials cannot be welded or bent to form the L-shaped cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The chain link is segmented into separate components that can each be manufactured from high-strength steel using processes suitable for these materials (such as machining or forming), avoiding the need to weld or bend the final high-strength components. The segments are then assembled through interlocking connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple high-strength steel components are merged through mechanical interlocking rather than thermal or plastic joining processes. This allows the full benefits of high-strength materials to be realized without the manufacturing limitations that would otherwise apply.
3Reliability
If separate force introduction components are used instead of integrated L-shaped structures, then material failure at welds or bends is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chain link is segmented into the side wall element and force introduction component, which improves reliability by eliminating weak points. The complexity increase is minimized through the use of simple interlocking geometry that requires only basic assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking connection between the force introduction component and side wall element is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through the peg-slot mechanism. This self-service feature reduces assembly complexity and eliminates the need for additional fastening operations, offsetting the initial increase in structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A chain link for a plate-link chain of a chain conveyor having two substantially flat side walls, which are spaced apart from, and parallel to, each other in a transverse direction (x-direction) of the chain link and securely fastened together, and two force introduction components. Every force introduction component protrudes outwards in the transverse direction (x-direction) from its associated side wall for the purpose of fastening it to a conveyor belt of the chain conveyor and is a component that is separate from the side walls. The force introduction components are substantially flat and every force introduction component is interlockingly connected to its associated side wall. A plate-link chain having multiple chain links and a chain conveyor comprising a plate-link chain are also provided.