Undercut Chain Link for Press Belt Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing support chains in separating devices, used for separating substances of different fluidity, suffer from weakened chain links due to central recesses and potential damage from press belt penetration between chain links, leading to reduced service life and risk of press belt damage.
Innovation Solution
The design features a chain link with a protruding support element forming an undercut on one end face, minimizing the gap between chain links on the press belt side and widening the inner space, ensuring a closed surface contact for the press belt and allowing space for chain links to guide around rollers without jamming, with a smooth support surface and convex transition regions to reduce friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a central recess is provided in the chain link for sprocket engagement, then the chain link can be driven by the sprocket wheel, but the structure of the chain link is weakened and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chain link structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: the outer peripheral region maintains full material thickness for strength, while the inner region provides the recess for sprocket engagement. This spatial segmentation allows both driving function and structural strength to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain link exhibits local quality variation where the outer peripheral region has maximum material density and thickness for strength, while the inner region has reduced material thickness to accommodate the sprocket recess. This localized structural differentiation optimizes both mechanical strength and drivability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gaps are provided between chain links for flexibility, then the chain can move and guide around rollers, but press belt parts can penetrate into the gaps and damage the press belt
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding support element is positioned in advance to prevent press belt penetration before damage can occur. By extending beyond the chain link contour, it creates a physical barrier that stops the press belt from entering the gap between chain links, thereby preventing belt damage proactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding support element acts as an intermediary structure between the chain link gap and the press belt. It mediates the interaction by providing a contact surface that redirects press belt forces, preventing direct penetration into the gap while maintaining chain flexibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the gap between chain links is minimized to prevent press belt penetration, then press belt damage is avoided, but the intermediate space for guiding chain links around rollers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solution resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing multiple dimensions: the protruding support element extends in the radial dimension to prevent press belt penetration, while the chain link maintains sufficient axial and tangential dimensions to allow guidance around rollers. This multi-dimensional spatial arrangement satisfies both constraints simultaneously.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the chain link structure is made robust to increase service life, then durability is improved, but the press belt may still penetrate between chain links and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two previously separate functions into a unified chain link structure: the robust outer shell for durability and the protruding support element for press belt protection. These elements are integrated into a single chain link component, achieving both longevity and protection simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a chain link (21) for a support chain (18) for supporting a press belt (12) in a separating device (10) for separating materials of different flowability. The chain link (2) has a support surface (22) and an inner surface (23) opposite the support surface (22) and is characterized in that a protruding support element (25) is arranged on at least one end face (24) of the chain link (21) so as to form an undercut. The invention further relates to a support chain (18) for a support device for supporting a press belt (12) in a separating device (10) for separating materials of different flowability. The support chain (18) is an articulated chain, which has individual chain links (21) connected to each other in an articulated manner. The chain links (21) are threaded onto chain pins extending perpendicular to the conveying direction F. The invention further relates to a support device having the support chain according to the invention.