Rigid-Spined Chain Actuator Layout for Compact Low-Wear Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators with backstiff chains face challenges in accommodating the chain, leading to a space-consuming design and significant wear, especially due to the need for chain redirection, which affects efficiency and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design features a snail with a larger core diameter than the motor, allowing the backstiff chain to be led partially alongside the drive engine, reducing overall length and wear by eliminating perpendicular chain redirection, and incorporating a gearbox for torque enhancement and using materials like plastic for the snail body for easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the chain is redirected perpendicular to the motor axis to achieve a slim design, then the actuator width is reduced, but the chain wear increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of redirecting the chain perpendicular to the motor axis (conventional design), the patent inverts the approach by guiding the chain parallel to the motor axis along the enlarged snail body. This reversal of the chain path eliminates the need for sharp redirections, reducing wear while maintaining compact dimensions through the enlarged snail geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by enlarging the snail body diameter beyond the motor diameter, creating additional spatial volume around the motor. This dimensional expansion allows the chain to follow a longer, gentler path parallel to the motor axis, reducing wear without increasing the actuator's axial or width dimensions significantly.
2Reliability
If the chain is led along the side of the drive engine with an enlarged snail, then the chain wear is reduced, but the actuator occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the snail body with the motor housing, where the enlarged snail body effectively utilizes the radial space around the motor. The snail and motor are integrated such that the chain path follows the motor's lateral surface, combining the functions of both components within a unified structure that minimizes overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain path is nested along the motor's lateral surface, with the chain running parallel to and alongside the motor axis. This nesting arrangement allows the chain to follow a extended path for reduced wear while occupying the same radial envelope as the motor, effectively hiding the extended chain path within the motor's spatial footprint.
3Ease of operation
If the snail diameter is enlarged beyond the motor diameter, then the chain can be guided parallel to the motor axis, but the actuator width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The snail body is enlarged locally in specific regions where the chain needs to be guided, rather than uniformly increasing the entire actuator width. The enlarged portions of the snail body are strategically positioned to provide chain guidance parallel to the motor axis, while other areas maintain compact dimensions, creating a non-uniform geometry that optimizes both chain guidance and space utilization.
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 results in a more compact, efficient actuator with reduced wear and extended lifespan, capable of replacing hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, offering flexible force transmission and easy integration with conventional drive motors.
Implementation Method 1
the backstiff chain with the interference means is at least partially led to the side of the drive engine... the backstiff chain by means of the procedure and the spiral Interfer is
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a gearbox for torque enhancement
Implementation Method 3
the backstiff chain with the interference means is at least partially led to the side of the drive engine... with it to drive the backstiff chain
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator with a rigid-spined chain, a drive motor, and a worm which can be driven by the drive motor and which comprises a helical groove. The rigid-spined chain has engagement means and is guided along the worm, and the chain is in engagement with the worm by means of the engagement means and the helical groove in order to drive the rigid-spined chain. Such an actuator is to have a more compact design and should optionally exhibit less wear. For this purpose, the core diameter of the worm is larger than twice the distance from the motor axis to the motor face along which the rigid-spined chain is guided, and the rigid-spined chain is guided at least partly along the drive motor by means of the engagement means.