Side-by-Side Chain Drive for Bi-Parting Slatted Floor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain drive systems for bi-parting slatted floors are prone to damage and cause significant vertical drops of items when opening, due to vertically stacked chains that apply strong bending moments and limit the proximity of the underlying surface to the slatted floor.
Innovation Solution
A chain drive system with two continuous loops of chain, oriented side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, driven by a single motor, eliminating the need for long extension arms and allowing greater vertical movement of the underlying surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vertically stacked chain sections are used to drive bi-parting slatted floor, then the chains can be positioned beneath the slats, but the extension arms experience strong bending moments causing damage and the underlying surface cannot be moved into close proximity to the slatted floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement of chain sections to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement. This dimensional change eliminates the need for long extension arms by positioning both chain sections in the same horizontal plane, thereby removing the bending moment problem while allowing the underlying surface to be moved into close proximity to the slatted floor
2Ease of manufacture
If long extension arms are used to attach vertically lowermost chain to slats, then the chains can be connected to the floor, but the extension arms are prone to bending and damage due to strong bending moments during startup
Solution Approach 1:
By repositioning the chain sections from a vertical stack to a horizontal side-by-side configuration, the patent eliminates the need for long extension arms that extend vertically. The attachment points are now in the same horizontal plane, removing the lever arm that causes bending moments and thereby eliminating the strength problem
3Productivity
If vertically stacked chain sections are used, then the drive system can operate the bi-parting floor, but items must drop several inches onto the pallet causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal arrangement of chain sections removes the vertical obstruction that previously prevented the pallet from approaching the slatted floor. This allows the underlying surface to be positioned within inches of the slats, reducing item drop distance from several inches to minimal distance, thereby eliminating damage while maintaining operational capability
Data Source
AI summary
A chain drive system for a bi-parting slatted floor in a drive system relies upon two continuous loops of chain, one on each side of the slatted floor that move in opposite directions beneath the slats are arranged side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, at the same level. A single drive motor drives both loops of chain. With the operative portions of the chain sections between drive and idler shafts arranged side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, the vertical amount of space occupied by the chains is significantly decreased compared to the vertically stacked chains of the prior art. This allows the underlying surface onto which items are deposited to be moved vertically upward next to the lower surface of the slatted floor.