Scraper Chain Link Design for Reduced Surface Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional link chains for scraper chain conveyors in mining face challenges with high manufacturing costs, increased weight, and reduced efficiency due to the need for special web chain links and increased driving power, while also experiencing wear-related surface pressure issues and suboptimal running characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A link chain design featuring vertically articulated chain links with a flat outer and circular arc inner profile, and horizontally articulated links with recessed longitudinal limbs for positive-locking scraper entrainment, along with a chain wheel with beveled tooth elements for improved alignment and reduced surface pressure, allowing for efficient operation and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If special web chain links are used for scraper connection, then good tensile and shear strength is achieved, but manufacturing cost and overall weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chain link is divided into modular components: a standard horizontal chain link body and separate attachment means for scrapers. This segmentation allows the use of standard, lighter chain links while maintaining connection strength through properly designed attachment interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal chain link features locally reinforced zones at specific positions (front sections with increased outer width) to provide adequate strength for scraper attachment, while the rest of the chain link maintains standard dimensions to minimize overall weight.
2Strength
If special web chain links are used for scraper connection, then good tensile and shear strength is achieved, but driving power requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the chain link design into standard horizontal links and separate scraper attachments, the overall chain weight is reduced, thereby reducing the driving power required to move the chain while maintaining adequate connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The design optimizes the geometric parameters of the horizontal chain link (outer width, wall thickness distribution) to achieve the minimum necessary strength for scraper connection, avoiding over-engineering that would increase weight and driving power requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different horizontal chain links are produced and connected in specific sequence, then scraper connection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal chain link is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different scraper types and configurations through standardized attachment interfaces. This universality eliminates the need for different specialized link types, simplifying the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the scraper attachment functionality directly into the standard horizontal chain link structure, merging what were previously separate components (special web links and scrapers) into an integrated solution that reduces assembly complexity.
4Stress or pressure
If front sections of horizontal chain links have large width and straight end face, then surface pressures are reduced, but chain link height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal chain link features localized widening only at the front sections where scraper attachment occurs, while the longitudinal limbs and other portions maintain standard dimensions. This local quality approach reduces surface pressure at critical interfaces without increasing overall chain link height.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly increasing chain link dimensions to reduce surface pressure, the design distributes the width increase across the horizontal dimension at specific locations (front sections), thereby managing pressure without proportionally increasing vertical height.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a link chain for scraper chain conveyors with vertical chain links which are interlinked in an articulated manner and horizontal chain links, wherein vertical chain links have around the full circumference a constant cross-sectional profile provided on the outside with a flat section and on the inside with a circular arc and horizontal chain links have front sections which have a straight front zone, wherein longitudinal limbs, which connect front sections, of horizontal chain links are provided on their outer faces with a recess. In order to improve the running characteristics of link chain in the event of low surface pressures between chain wheel and horizontal chain links, horizontal chain links have, on both sides in recesses, entrainment means for positive-locking entrainment of scrapers which can be connected to horizontal chain links and/or cross-sectional profile of the vertical chain links is in each case provided with a bevel at the transition of the flat section into the circular arc. The invention also relates to a chain wheel which is suitable for this chain.