Lightweight Optimization Design of the Drive Chain Wheel Structure Size for Scraper Conveyor

In order to reduce the wear of the drive sprocket in the scraper conveyor and improve its work efficiency,this paper conducted a structural study of the sprocket.Firstly, the 3D modeling software was applied to determine the five parameter values of the sprocket and the circular chain in the initial modeling; Then,based on these parameters, a simulation analysis was carried out, which revealed stress concentration phenomena near the sprocket pockets, at the contact areas between chain links, and on the tight side of the chain drive system. Finally,six lightweight optimization schemes were developed for the five variables following a specific optimization sequence.The optimization process of scheme 1 was taken as an example to analyze and compare all schemes. The results showed that the structural mass in scheme 1 was reduced from 59.53 kg to 30.06 kg, achieving a 49.5% reduction, making it the optimal scheme.