Alternating Modular Conveyor Belt Bars for Size Sorting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts lack the ability to provide article conveying pockets of varying size and depth, and are not easily modifiable to accommodate different article sizes and shapes, while also requiring efficient debris removal and size sorting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor belt comprising two types of modular, elongated bars arranged in parallel, with finger bars having transverse elements and intermediate bars of varying heights and spacings, allowing for adjustable article conveying pockets and easy replacement of bars, along with flexible belts and rollers for support and engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conveyor belts use a continuous run of material or joined segments, then the belt provides full support and stability for articles, but the belt cannot easily accommodate different article sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is divided into modular bar elements that can be arranged in different configurations. Each bar is a discrete component with specific dimensions, allowing the belt to be reconfigured for different article sizes while maintaining structural support through the modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bar elements are designed to be adjustable in position and arrangement, enabling the conveyor belt to dynamically adapt its configuration. This allows the same belt structure to accommodate varying article sizes and shapes by repositioning bars, while maintaining reliability through controlled mechanical connections.
2Reliability
If conveyor belts have flights or surface features to retain articles, then articles are contained during transport, but the belt structure becomes complex and difficult to modify
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex continuous flights, the containment function is achieved through discrete bar elements arranged in specific patterns. Each bar is a simple component, but their collective arrangement provides article retention, reducing individual component complexity while maintaining overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bar elements have varying local characteristics - different heights, spacings, and configurations - optimized for specific retention needs at different locations along the belt. This allows effective article containment through localized bar arrangements rather than uniform complex structure throughout.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conveyor belts are perforated to allow debris removal, then cleaning function is provided, but the belt loses support capability for certain article types
Solution Approach 1:
The belt structure uses discrete bar elements with spaces between them, providing natural debris removal pathways without requiring perforations that would compromise structural integrity. The segmented bar design allows debris to pass through gaps while bars maintain support capability for articles.
Solution Approach 2:
Different bar configurations and spacings are used in different sections of the belt to balance support and debris removal needs. Areas requiring strong support use closer bar spacing, while debris removal zones have wider spacing, optimizing both functions locally rather than uniformly throughout the belt.
4Reliability
If conveyor belts use solid surface to prevent articles from falling through, then full support is provided, but size sorting and debris removal capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The solid surface is segmented into discrete bar elements with controlled spacing. This segmentation creates openings for size sorting and debris removal while bars provide support points for articles. The segmented structure enables both support and sorting functions simultaneously through appropriate bar spacing and arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The bar spacing and configuration vary locally to provide different levels of support and opening sizes. This allows the belt to provide full support where needed while creating appropriate gaps for size sorting and debris removal in other areas, optimizing both functions through localized design variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor belt comprised of a plurality of two types of elongated bars, arranged in parallel, spaced relation. The first type of bar includes a plurality of transverse elements, extending perpendicularly from either side of the bar. The second type of bar is preferably cylindrical. The two types of bars are arranged in alternating fashion along the belt, with the ends of the elements from the first type of bar in predetermined spaced relation from the side of an adjacent second type of bar. The relative heights of the two types of bars may be varied, to define article conveying pockets of different sizes and depths. Rollers are provided within of the arcuate ends of belts driving and supporting the bars. The belt may be endless, or assembled from one or more belt segments. Two or more belts may be combined laterally, to increase the width of the conveyor belt.