WO2020025088A1

WO2020025088A1 - Steel link chain and method for operating a steel link chain with a wear sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2020025088A1
Application number: PCT/DE2019/100665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Schuchtmann; Bernhard Norpoth
Original assignee: Thiele Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2018-08-01
Filing date: 2019-07-18
Publication date: 2020-02-06
Also published as: DE102018118709A1; DE102018118709B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steel link chain (1) comprising successive outer plates (2) in the longitudinal direction of the chain (3) and inner plates (4) which are coupled together in pairs by mutually engaging bushes (6) and pins (5). According to the invention, a radial bore (9) is provided in a pin (5) so that it is possible to measure the state of wear between the inner surface (27) of the bush (6) and the outer surface (28) of the pin (5) by arranging an electrical sensor (13) in the radial bore (9). The present invention likewise relates to a method for measuring the state of wear.

Description

The present invention relates to a steel chain according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention also relates to a method for checking or measuring the state of wear of a steel link chain according to the features in claim 10.

The use of chains to transmit forces is known from the prior art. In conveyor technology in particular, for example when conveying bulk goods, chains are rotated via so-called chain wheels, so that a force is applied to the chain in the direction of pull. In addition to, for example, round steel link chains, steel link chains are also state of the art known. Steel link chains are also used as roller chains and / or. Sleeve chain or also called a link chain.

Their structure is characterized by two parallel inner flaps. Two of these inner pockets are followed in the chain longitudinal direction by two parallel outer pockets, again followed by two opposite inner pockets. The inside pockets are connected via bushings, the outside pockets are connected via bolts. The respective bolt runs within an associated socket. Depending on the application, a roller can be arranged over the socket. If the chain is now rotated via a sprocket, the pin rotates within the bush. If the chain is subjected to tension in the longitudinal direction of the chain, the chain will also lengthen, so that the chain will be extended as the chain progresses.

When using the chain, it is sometimes not possible to determine the internal wear condition from pin to socket without at least partially dismantling the chain.

From DE 102 34 626 A1, and here specifically FIG. 3, a measuring method is known in which the pitch elongation of such a chain is measured. However, an exact measurement of the state of wear from socket to bolt is not possible.

The object of the present invention is therefore, based on the prior art, to show a possibility of being able to monitor the state of wear between the bushing and the bolt.

The aforementioned object is achieved in a steel link chain with the features in claim 1.

A procedural part of the task is solved according to the features in claim 10.

The steel link chain has outer pockets and inner pockets which follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the chain and which are each coupled in pairs via interlocking bushings and bolts. The parallel spaced outer plates are coupled via a bolt. The inner lugs lying parallel and at a relatively smaller distance from each other are coupled via the bushings. The bolts engage in the sockets.

So that the wear between the pin and the bushing can now be determined according to the invention, a radial bore is arranged in at least one pin of the steel articulated chain, hereinafter also referred to as the chain. The radial bore is arranged in the bolt in such a way that a central longitudinal axis of the radial bore points in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The radial bore is also arranged in such a way that when the steel articulated chain is subjected to a tensile force, the bolt and bushing at least partially abut one another with their lateral surfaces, in such a way that the radial bore lies in the contact surface.

An electrical sensor, also called a wear sensor, is now arranged in the radial bore. The wear sensor measures wear between the inner surface of the bush and the outer surface of the bolt.

Due to the fact that an electrical wear sensor is arranged in the radial bore, it is possible to determine the internal wear condition when the steel link chain is assembled, and thus without disassembly. For this purpose, the electrical sensor is designed in particular as an electrical resistance, so that the resistance value of the electrical sensor changes as abrasive wear progresses. Due to the change in the electrical resistance value, a conclusion can be drawn about the internal state of wear between the bushing and the bolt.

The measurement procedure itself can be carried out passively or actively. In both of the above-mentioned measuring methods, an additional axial bore is particularly preferably made in the bolt. A cable is passed through the axial bore and electrically connects the electrical sensor arranged in the radial bore to an axially end-side point of the bolt. The axial bore and the radial bore intersect or engage in the bolt. An electrical resistance measuring device can now be attached to the axial end of the bolt are electrically coupled to the lines and a resistance measurement is carried out. This measurement procedure can be carried out at specified time intervals or depending on the operating hours of the steel joint chain to be checked.

With the active measuring method, a transmitter, also called a wireless communication module, can be arranged at the axial end of the bolt. This can communicate with an external receiving unit according to a wireless standard, for example WLA1M, Bluetooth or the like. The transmitter is arranged so that it protrudes laterally over the outer flap. The bolt itself is thus not affected in its resilience or in its strength. Furthermore, an energy supply source, for example an accumulator or the like, is arranged such that a continuous measurement or a discontinuous measurement is carried out at predetermined time intervals, for example once a day, and the measured wear value is either permanent or after a measurement has been taken to an external receiving unit is transmitted. The radio communication module can also communicate with an external receiving device, for example on the principle of an RFID tag or the like.

The arrangement according to the invention thus makes it possible in particular to carry out a relatively exact measurement of the progressive internal state of wear of a steel link chain according to the invention. Reaching a critical wear condition can be determined exactly, so that the steel link chain only has to be replaced or replaced relatively late without running the risk of exceeding a critical wear condition.

The electrical sensor is in particular formed by a printed circuit board. The circuit board can also be called a circuit board. Individual conductor tracks are arranged on the circuit board. The circuit board is inserted into the radial bore and in particular fixed in position with a casting compound. The casting compound can be an adhesive or a composite compound. The conductor tracks are stepped on the circuit board from a radially outer end. With increasing wear, a first becomes the outer conductor is severed, the next conductor is then severed as the wear progresses, etc. An electrical resistor is preferably arranged in a respective conductor, in particular an SMD resistor. With each cut conductor track, the total electrical resistance of the printed circuit board and thus of the electrical sensor changes.

Printed conductors are preferably arranged on the front and the back of the printed circuit board. In this way, on the one hand, the conductor tracks on the front and back can be arranged in identical gradations, so that they are designed redundantly. However, it is also possible for the conductor tracks to be arranged at individual distances from one another on the front and the rear. The radial bore can thus be made with a relatively small diameter. At the same time, however, it is possible to arrange a large number of graded conductor tracks in the radial direction without the printed circuit board being dimensioned too large transversely to the radial direction.

Furthermore, the radial bore is preferably formed with a step shoulder. The printed circuit board can preferably come into contact with the step in a form-fitting manner. As the wear increases, a pressure force is also applied to the printed circuit board in the radial direction. Due to the fact that the printed circuit board lies in a form-fitting manner on the step shoulder, the printed circuit board is held and cannot be pressed deeper into the radial bore in the radial direction.

The present invention also relates to a method for checking and / or measuring the state of wear of the steel chain with the electrical sensor according to the invention described above. Due to in particular abrasive wear between the inner jacket of the bush and the outer surface of the bolt, the electrical sensor is also subjected to abrasive wear, so that a conclusion can be drawn about the state of wear.

In particular, the electrical resistance value of the electrical sensor changes with increasing abrasive wear. In the context of the invention, however, it is also conceivable to design the electrical sensor as a Hali sensor, for example. All of the above statements also apply to the method.

Further advantages, features, properties and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred embodiments are shown in schematic figures. These serve to simplify the understanding of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a steel link chain according to the invention in perspective

View,

FIG. 2 the steel link chain in top view,

FIG. 3 shows the steel link chain in a side view,

FIGS. 4 and 5 each part of a corresponding chain strand of the steel link chain according to the invention,

Figure 6 is a side view of the part of the chain strand of the

Steel link chain according to FIGS. 4 and 5,

FIG. 7 shows a matching front view of FIG. 6 looking from the left in relation to the image plane,

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view along the section line A-A from FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 a) to d) a bolt according to the invention with a radial bore in different views,

Figure 10 a) to d) a bolt according to the invention with additional

Wireless communication module and power supply module in different views,

1 a) to d) the electrical sensor in the form of a circuit board with conductor tracks arranged thereon in different views, Figure 12 is a view of the bolt with the printed circuit board arranged in the radial bore and

FIG. 13 shows a printed circuit board with a stop inserted into the radial bore.

The same reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

The steel link chain 1 has outer plates 2 spaced parallel to one another and inner pockets 4 following the respective outer plates 2 in the longitudinal direction 3 of the chain. The outer pockets 2 are coupled to one another via a bolt 5. The inner pockets 4 are coupled to one another via a socket 6. The respective bolts 5 are rotatably arranged in the bushes 6.

The pin 5 arranged on the left in FIG. 1 and 2 in relation to the image plane has an extension on the side and a socket 7 arranged thereon for receiving a wireless communication module described later and a power supply source. Compared to the inner pockets 4, angular flaps 8 are again arranged on the outside to accommodate, for example, a bucket elevator or the like, but this is not shown further. The bolt 5 is a composite chain of inner pockets and a socket overlaps, which is not shown here for better illustration.

FIGS. 4 and 5 each show part of a corresponding chain strand of the steel link chain 1 according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the part of the chain strand of the steel link chain according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 shows a matching front view of FIG. 8 looking from the left in relation to the image plane.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view along the section line AA from FIG. 6. Here it is shown that a radial bore 9 is made in the bolt 5. The radial bore 9 is preferably approximately in relation to the length 10 of the bolt 5 arranged in the middle. The radial bore 9 can also be arranged off-center, but the radial bore 9 is preferably arranged in the axial direction A in a range between 40% and 60% of the length 10 of the bolt 5. A wireless communication module 11 and an energy supply module 12 are also arranged on the side.

Figure 9 a) to d) show the bolt 5 according to the invention in different views. In relation to its length 10, the bolt 5 has a radial bore 9 running in the radial direction R in a central region. An electrical sensor 13 is arranged in the radial bore 9. The electrical sensor 13 is preferably designed in the form of a printed circuit board 16. FIGS. 9a and 9b in particular show the bolt 5 in the installation position. The radial bore 9 is arranged in the bolt 5 such that the radial direction R is aligned with a pulling direction Z, which is also oriented in the chain longitudinal direction 3, as it were. At this point, bolts 5 and 6 come into contact with the steel link chain due to a tensile force. Consequently, abrasive wear is most likely to occur here, which in turn is determined directly by the electrical sensor 13.

In order that the electrical sensor 13 can be coupled to a measuring part or else to the energy supply device 12 and the wireless communication module 11, an axial bore 14 is also preferably provided. FIG. 9 d) shows a longitudinal sectional view through the bolt 5. The axial bore 14 crosses the radial bore 9.

Electrical connection lines, not shown in detail, can then be passed through here in order to couple the electrical sensor to an external measuring device.

FIGS. 10 a) to d) show a similar embodiment of the pin 5 according to the invention. Here, however, a radio communication module 11 and an energy supply module 12 are arranged on an axial end 15 of the pin 5. For example, batteries can be used here, so that the electrical sensor 13 in the radio bore 9 is not shown in detail electrical lines can be coupled to the power supply module 12 and the wireless communication module 11

11 a) to d) show the electrical sensor 13 in the form of a printed circuit board 18 with conductor tracks 19 arranged thereon in different views. The printed circuit board 16 each has conductor tracks 19 on a front side 17 and a rear side 18. The conductor tracks 19 are layered in relation to the radial direction R. A first conductor track 19.1 is arranged in relation to the radial direction R at a front end 20 of the printed circuit board 16. If wear occurs in the radial direction R, the front end 20 is removed and the first conductor track 19.1 is thereby damaged or severed. The distance 26 is shortened by increasing wear and tear until the second conductor 19.2 is cut.

Electrical resistors 21, for example SMD resistors, are arranged in the respective conductor tracks 19. When the first conductor 19.1 is cut, the total electrical resistance of the printed circuit board 16 thus changes. The same then applies to the second conductor 19 2 and to the third conductor 19.3.

With increasing abrasive wear in the radial direction R, conductor tracks 19 can then also be arranged on the rear side 18, so that a fourth conductor track 19.4, a fifth conductor track 19.5 and a sixth conductor track 19.6 are cut with increasing wear. The advantage of arranging the conductor tracks 19 on the front 17 and rear 18 is that the width 22 of the printed circuit board 16 can be relatively narrow, which in turn makes the diameter of the radial bore 9 relatively small.

Furthermore, the printed circuit board 16 has a stop 23, with which it comes into positive engagement in a step shoulder 24 of the radial bore 9, shown in FIG. 13. This offers the advantage that the printed circuit board 16 is not pressed deeper into the radial bore 9 in the radial direction R. The remaining space in the radial bore 9 can be filled by a casting compound 25. Via electrical connection points 29, the printed circuit board 16 can then be connected via lines (not shown) through the axial bore 14 to an axial end 15 of the bolt 5 become. FIG. 13 further shows that the inner lateral surface 27 of the bushing 6 bears in a form-fitting manner on the outer lateral surface 28 of the bolt 5. This sectional view also corresponds to a sectional view in the chain longitudinal direction 3 of the chain strand of the steel link chain 1. If this is subjected to a tensile force in the pulling direction Z, the inner lateral surface 27 and the outer lateral surface 28 abut one another and are subject to abrasive wear. This wear removes material in particular in the radial direction R on the bolt 5. With increasing material removal on the bolt 5, material is also removed from the printed circuit board 16, as it were.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the bolt 5 with the printed circuit board 16 arranged in the radial bore 9.

Reference numerals:

1 - steel link chain

2 - outer flap

3 - chain longitudinal direction

4 - inside

5 - bolt

6 - socket

7 - Pot socket

8 - angle bracket

9 - radial bore

10 - length to 5

11 - Wireless communication module

12 - power supply module

13 - electrical sensor

14 - axial bore

15 - axial end to 5

16 - Head patina

17 - front of 16

18 - back of 16

19 - conductor track

19.1 - first trace

19.2 - second conductor track

19.3 - third trace

19.4 - fourth conductor track

19.5 - fifth conductor track

19.6 - sixth conductor track

20 - front end to 16

21 - electrical resistance

22 - width to 16

23 - stop at 16

24 - step paragraph to 9

25 - potting compound 6 - distance

7 - inner jacket surface to 68 - outer jacket surface to 59 - electrical connection points

A - axial direction

R - radial direction

Z - direction of pull

Claims

claims

1. Steel link chain (1) comprising in the chain longitudinal direction (3) successive outer link plates (2) and inner link plates (4), which are each coupled in pairs via interlocking bushings (6) and bolts (5), characterized in that in a bolt ( 5) a radial bore (9) is arranged, an electrical sensor (13) being arranged in the radial bore (9), which measures the wear between the inner surface (27) of the bushing (8) and the outer surface (28) of the bolt (5) ,

2. Steel link chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical sensor (13) is designed as an electrical resistance or as a Hall sensor.

3. Steel link chain (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical sensor (13) is designed as a printed circuit board (16) with at least two conductor tracks (19) and an SMD resistor arranged in each conductor track (19).

4. Steel link chain (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical sensor (13) in the radial bore (9) is arranged positively, in particular the sensor (13) in the radial bore (9) by a casting compound (25) glued.

5. Steel link chain (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conductor tracks (19) result in a total resistance, the conductor tracks (19) being stepped in the radial direction (9. 1) from an outside conductor track (19.1) in the radial direction (9) ) are arranged inside.

6. steel link chain (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that on the front (17) and the back (18) of the circuit board (16) individual conductor tracks (19) are arranged.

7. Steel link chain (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrical sensor (13) with an energy supply module (12) and a wireless communication module (11)

8. steel link chain (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an axial bore (14) is provided in the bolt (5) and at the end of the bolt (5) a coupling point, in particular electrical connections, are arranged, which are coupled to the sensor (13).

9. Steel link chain (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a wireless communication module (11) and an energy supply module (12) are arranged on the end of the bolt (5).

10. Procedure for checking and / or measuring the state of wear of a

Steel link chain (1) with the features of claim 1, characterized in that the wear (between the inner surface area of the bushing (6) and the outer surface area of the bolt (5)) is measured with the sensor (13).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the sensor (13) is designed as an electrical resistance (21), the resistance value of the electrical resistance (21) changing with increasing wear of the bolt (5), so that a conclusion can be drawn the wear state occurs.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the sensor (13) is designed as a printed circuit board (16), with stepped conductor tracks (19), wherein with increasing abrasive wear of the bolt (5), the outer lateral surfaces (28) are removed and correspondingly the conductor tracks (19) are severed individually in such a way that the total resistance of the electrical transmitter (13) changes.