Repairable Chain Binder With Modular Sacrificial Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chain binders are expensive due to their heavy-duty construction and cannot be repaired if individual components fail, requiring the entire device to be replaced.
Innovation Solution
A chain binder design that allows for the sacrificial use of certain components, enabling damaged parts to be replaced without needing to replace the entire device, through a modular design with separable portions and indicators for easy identification of sacrificial parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chain binders are constructed in a heavy-duty manner to ensure strength and reliability, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the cost increases and the device becomes non-repairable
Solution Approach 1:
The chain binder is divided into separate modular components including a lever body, drive axle assembly, tubular member assembly, and connectors. Each component can be independently removed and replaced through access openings in the lever body, allowing repair of individual damaged parts without replacing the entire device while maintaining overall structural integrity and reliability.
2Reliability
If chain binders are constructed in a heavy-duty manner to ensure strength and reliability, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chain binder is divided into separate modular components including a lever body, drive axle assembly, tubular member assembly, and connectors. Each component can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing for more efficient production processes and reduced material waste while maintaining the heavy-duty construction and reliability required for freight securing applications.
3Reliability
If the entire chain binder must be replaced when one component fails, then the reliability is maintained, but the loss of time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chain binder is divided into separate modular components that can be independently accessed through openings in the lever body. When a component fails, only that specific component needs to be removed and replaced, not the entire device. This modular architecture dramatically reduces replacement time and operational downtime while maintaining the reliability of the remaining components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables selective replacement of only the damaged component while recovering and retaining all other functional components of the chain binder. This approach eliminates the waste of replacing working parts and significantly reduces both time and cost losses associated with complete device replacement.
4Ease of repair
If chain binders are made modular to enable repair, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chain binder employs a modular design with distinct components (lever body, drive axle assembly, tubular member assembly, connectors) that are segmented for independent access and replacement. The lever body incorporates openings that provide direct access to internal components, simplifying the repair process despite the increased modularity. This segmentation enables easy repair while keeping the overall device architecture relatively simple and intuitive.
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 significantly reduces operational costs by allowing damaged components to be replaced individually, extending the life of the chain binder and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
the lever body moves about an axis that is aligned in the transverse direction... the at least one gear is configured to move in two different modes of operation... movement of the at least one gear is configured to move the first and second hooks or connectors relative to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A chain binder to connect and apply tension to chains, straps, or the like used to secure cargo on any type of platform or vehicle. The chain binder includes a lever body; a first side portion; a second side portion; and gears that effectuate two modes of operation. Namely, a power driven mode of operation or a manual lever mode of operation. Rotations of the gears causes hooks or connectors, via movement of eye-bolts, toward each other to place tension in the chains or strap. Opposite rotations of the gears causes hooks or connectors, via movement of eye-bolts, away from each other to relax the chains or strap. If components are damages during use, they may be replaced on an as-needed basis to reduce operational cost of the chain binder since the entire binder does not need replaced when only one component fails or is damaged.