Angled Side Conveyor Elements for Even Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing divider conveyor systems face issues with complex construction, uneven stress distribution, noise, and excessive wear due to axial displacement of end rollers, leading to irregular load on side guides and premature belt wear.
Innovation Solution
The divider conveyor features angled sides on its elements, which maintain parallel contact with guides for even load distribution, reduced friction with bearings, and adjustable side guides for optimal positioning, along with small element width and protrusions for axial shifting, ensuring balanced forces and smooth product transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If axial play between conveyor belt links is used to enable roller displacement, then the divider conveyor can change direction, but the sides of the conveyor belt become irregular causing irregular load on side guides, resulting in noise and excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing guide surfaces only at specific locations (the sides of elements) rather than across the entire belt structure. These localized guide surfaces are precisely positioned to contact the side guides when the belt is angled, distributing the guiding function to specific high-stress areas while leaving the rest of the belt structure simple and flexible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the element sides from irregular/curved to angled/straight. This parameter change ensures that when elements contact the side guides, the contact occurs along a straight angled surface rather than an irregular curve, distributing the load evenly and preventing the irregular loading that causes noise and wear.
2Ease of operation
If elements are made wide to provide stable support surface, then product transfer is facilitated, but the belt width increases and axial displacement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function by providing guide surfaces only at the lateral sides of elements rather than across the entire width. This allows the belt to remain narrow while still providing adequate guiding contact with the side guides, as the guide surfaces are distributed across multiple elements rather than requiring a single wide element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the guiding function from a width-based solution (wide elements providing broad contact) to a height/angle-based solution (angled side surfaces providing precise contact). By orienting the guide surfaces vertically at an angle rather than horizontally across the width, the patent achieves effective guiding with narrow elements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If side guides are added to prevent belt from running off rollers, then belt stability is improved, but the complex construction and width of conveyor track increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guiding function from the overall belt structure and isolates it to specific components (the side surfaces of individual elements). This allows the main belt structure to remain simple while the guiding function is performed by minimal external components (side guides), reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces side guides as intermediary components that mediate between the belt elements and the rollers. These side guides provide the necessary stability and positioning without requiring complex modifications to the belt or roller structures themselves, serving as simple external guides that reduce overall system complexity.
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
This design reduces noise, extends belt life, and facilitates efficient product transfer by distributing load evenly and reducing friction, resulting in a more durable and versatile conveyor system.
Implementation Method 1
the sides of each element of the belt are angled, such that when these sides get into contact with the at least one guide in one of the two end positions, the guide and the sides are parallel. As a result, the load is distributed evenly over the length of the sides and the guide.
Implementation Method 2
the at least one side guide comprises a row of bearings. The bearings reduce the friction caused by the contact of the sides of the elements with the guide.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a divider conveyor (1) comprising: - an endless belt (4) of parallel interconnected elements (7) arranged around at least two opposite end rollers (2,3) , wherein the two opposite end rollers are axially displaceable relative to each other; - at least one side guide (5,6) for guiding the interconnected elements (7)between the two rollers(2,3) , wherein the at least one side guide is arranged under an angle relative to the axis of the rollers, wherein the sides (12,13) , adjacent the at least one guide (5,6), of the interconnected elements (7) are angled parallel to the at least one guide.