Segmented Cable Guide Chain Support for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional supports for cable guide chains are prone to damage due to temperature changes, which cause stress and friction, leading to noise and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A support for cable guide chains is divided into sections with interlocking teeth at their ends, allowing for thermal expansion compensation and preventing rollers from sinking into expansion joints, thereby reducing noise and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the support is made as a single continuous piece, then it provides continuous support for the cable guide chain, but it cannot withstand temperature changes and is prone to damage due to thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into multiple individual sections (first section, second section, third section, etc.) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each section to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction without generating damaging stresses, while still providing continuous support for the cable guide chain through the interconnected sections.
2Reliability
If the support is divided into sections to compensate for thermal expansion, then it can withstand temperature changes, but rollers may sink into expansion joints causing noise and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking tooth design preemptively prevents rollers from sinking into the expansion joints between sections. The teeth protrude from each section and engage with corresponding gaps in adjacent sections, creating a mechanical barrier that stops rollers before they can enter the joint spaces where noise and vibrations would be generated.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking tooth design transforms the potential harmful vibration from roller-joint interaction into a controlled mechanical engagement. The teeth and gaps create a positive mechanical connection that guides rollers smoothly across section boundaries, converting what would be harmful vibrations into controlled rotational motion of the cable guide chain.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional supports are used with holders made of different materials, then assembly is simple, but temperature changes cause stresses that can damage the supports or holders
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into multiple individual sections that can be independently mounted to the holder. This segmentation allows each section to accommodate differential thermal expansion between the support material and holder material without generating damaging stresses, while still maintaining a relatively simple assembly process where sections can be individually attached.
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 effectively compensates for thermal expansion, reducing stress and noise while maintaining smooth operation of the cable guide chains.
Implementation Method 1
By dividing the support into sections, thermal expansion can be compensated for when the temperature changes. This applies in particular when the support is held on a holder made of a different material than the support.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a support (1) for an energy supply chain (2), wherein the support (1) is divided in a longitudinal direction (L) into a plurality of sections (5), wherein the sections (5) each have at least one tooth (6) at their ends, and wherein in each case two adjacent section (5) are interlocked with one another via the teeth (6).