Adjustable Conveyor Belt Lifter with Coupled Lifts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor belt lifter devices do not allow for manual adjustment to accommodate troughed conveyor belts of different widths, making them unsuitable for maintenance across various belt sizes.
Innovation Solution
A manually-adjustable conveyor belt lifter apparatus featuring a length-adjustable support arm, coupled lifts, and an adjustable base, allowing for simultaneous activation and positioning to accommodate conveyor belts of varying widths, with screw jacks or hydraulic cylinders for raising or lowering the belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed-width conveyor belt lifter devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot accommodate conveyor belts of different widths
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm incorporates telescopic sections with pins that can be adjusted to different lengths, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the support arm to adapt to different conveyor belt widths while maintaining structural integrity through the pin-connected telescopic mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter device is designed with adjustable components (telescopic support arm, adjustable base) that enable a single device to serve multiple conveyor belt widths. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple fixed-width devices, making one device versatile enough to handle various belt sizes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-width lifter devices are used to accommodate different belt sizes, then each device is simple, but the quantity of devices and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a single lifter device with adjustable features rather than maintaining multiple fixed-width devices, the organization reduces the total number of devices to maintain. The universal design allows one device to replace several specialized devices, simplifying maintenance operations and reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm is divided into telescopic sections connected by pins, allowing independent adjustment of each section. This segmentation enables flexible configuration for different belt widths while maintaining simple, modular components that are easy to maintain and repair.
3Stability of the object's composition
If non-synchronized lift operation is used, then the lift mechanism is simple, but the support arm cannot remain horizontal during lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft coupler merges the operation of two independent lifts into a synchronized system. By mechanically coupling the lifts through the shaft coupler, the system ensures both lifts operate simultaneously and maintain the support arm in horizontal alignment, combining simplicity with functional stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate different belt widths, then adaptability improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic support arm with pin connections provides a dynamic adjustment mechanism that, while requiring manual intervention, maintains operational simplicity through its mechanical design. The pin-and-telescopic section system allows straightforward length adjustments without complex controls, balancing adaptability with ease of operation.
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
Enables efficient and flexible lifting of trough-shaped conveyor belts of different widths, ensuring proper alignment and maintenance access without the need for multiple devices, optimizing maintenance efficiency across diverse belt sizes.
Implementation Method 1
with screw jacks or hydraulic cylinders for raising or lowering the belt
Implementation Method 2
with screw jacks or hydraulic cylinders for raising or lowering the belt
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus/method for a conveyor belt lifter apparatus that can be manually-configured to accommodate differently-sized conveyor belts of conveyor systems. The apparatus includes a pair of lifts in between which a trough-shaped adjustable conveyor belt support arm is releasably-secured. An adjustable shaft coupler connects the lifts to allow simultaneous activation and movement of both lifts by an operator engaging only one lift. An adjustable base also allows the apparatus to be adjusted for the conveyor system size. These adjustable components comprise segments that can be releasably secured using quick-release pins. The height of the ends of the conveyor belt support arm can also be manually adjusted to eliminate any gap between the conveyor belt and the support arm before lift activation. Each lift comprises a manually-controlled screw jack with an extender formed thereon to allow the lifter apparatus to raise or lower the particular conveyor belt once the lifter apparatus is installed.