Arcuate Scraper Blade Mount for Durable Conveyor Belt Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor belt cleaner cushions with metal plates joined by a rubber pad fail due to bond failure from corrosion, excessive deflection, compression, and high cycle fatigue, leading to reduced durability and potential hazards in heavy-duty applications.
Innovation Solution
A scraper blade mount with a resilient, unitary blade mount member featuring an arcuate portion connecting a blade support portion and a base portion, along with an elastomeric member, provides a mechanical connection that allows for resilient deflection and dampening, eliminating the need for a chemical bond between metal plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a chemical bond between rubber pad and metal plates is used to join components, then the cushion can provide resilient deflection, but the bond fails due to corrosion, excessive deflection, compression, and high cycle fatigue leading to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bond system (rubber-to-metal adhesive bonding) with a mechanical connection system. The blade mount member features an arcuate portion that mechanically connects the blade support portion to the base portion, eliminating reliance on chemical bonds that fail under corrosion and fatigue. This mechanical linkage provides durable resilient deflection without bond failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by integrating multiple materials with complementary properties. The blade mount member combines resilient material (for deflection) with rigid material (for structural support), creating a composite structure that achieves both flexibility and durability without relying on failed chemical bonds between separate components.
2Ease of operation
If the rubber pad is compressed to provide resilient deflection, then the blade can deflect away from belt irregularities, but excessive compression causes bond failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the compression-dependent chemical bond system with a mechanical connection system. The arcuate portion provides a mechanical hinge-like connection that allows resilient deflection through geometric design rather than material compression, eliminating the bond failure risk associated with excessive compression.
3Strength
If conventional cushions are scaled up to provide higher strength for heavy-duty applications, then strength increases, but space constraints make it impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curvature in the arcuate portion of the blade mount member to achieve efficient structural design. The curved geometry provides mechanical advantage and structural strength while maintaining a compact form factor, allowing the cushion to withstand heavy-duty loads without increasing overall volume beyond space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction of the blade mount member, combining resilient and rigid materials in a integrated structure, provides high strength-to-volume ratio. This allows the cushion to deliver the necessary strength for heavy-duty applications while maintaining a compact size that fits within existing space constraints.
4Ease of operation
If debris enters the pocket between blade support portion and base portion, then debris can accumulate and inhibit movement of the blade support portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the harmful element (debris accumulation possibility) from the system by designing the blade mount member as a unitary structure with no internal pockets or cavities where debris could accumulate. The streamlined design eliminates the pocket that would otherwise trap debris and interfere with blade movement.
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
The solution enhances durability and reliability by reducing stress concentrations and preventing debris accumulation, ensuring consistent blade engagement with the conveyor belt, even under high impact and cyclic loading conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The arcuate portion of the blade mount member permits resilient movement of the blade support portion relative to the base portion
Implementation Method 2
The blocker limits debris from entering an upwardly facing opening of the pocket and accumulating in the pocket
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a scraper blade mount for a conveyor belt cleaner is provided that includes a resilient, unitary blade mount member. The unitary blade mount member has an upwardly extending blade support portion configured to have a scraper blade mounted thereto and an upwardly extending base portion configured to be fixed to an elongate support of a conveyor belt cleaner. The blade mount member has a lower arcuate portion connecting the base portion and blade support portion that permits movement of the cleaner blade support portion toward the base portion during operation of the conveyor belt cleaner. The blade mount member further includes a pocket having an upwardly facing opening and a blocker connected to the blade mount member configured to limit debris from entering the upwardly facing opening and accumulating in the pocket. The debris may be scraped material, dust, and/or dirt as some examples.