Asymmetric Flange Conveyor Element for Compact Turnaround
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional people conveyors require large turnaround diameters to avoid interference between transportation elements, leading to deep pits and increased installation costs, and there is a need to reduce energy consumption by minimizing the weight of movable parts.
Innovation Solution
The transportation elements feature a lower flange with a triangular cross-section and an intermediate element, such as a rectangular hollow profile, connecting the upper and lower flanges, allowing for shorter extensions and avoiding interference even at smaller diameters, with the option to use lighter materials for the intermediate element to reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large turnaround diameters are used to avoid interference between transportation elements, then interference is avoided, but pit depth increases and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation element employs asymmetric flange configuration where the lower flange has a different extension length than the upper flange in the conveying direction. This asymmetry allows the transportation element to navigate tighter turnaround curves without adjacent elements interfering with each other, thereby reducing the required pit depth while maintaining reliable operation.
2Device complexity
If conventional transportation element configuration is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but turnaround diameter must be large to avoid interference
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing asymmetric flange extensions where the lower flange extends less than the upper flange in the conveying direction, the invention enables compact turnaround sections without requiring complex additional components. The asymmetric design inherently prevents interference between adjacent transportation elements during turnaround.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the turnaround diameter constraint by utilizing the vertical dimension through asymmetric flange configuration. Instead of increasing horizontal turnaround diameter, the design uses vertical positioning of flanges at different extension lengths to prevent interference, effectively solving the problem in a different dimensional space.
3Strength
If heavier materials are used for transportation elements, then structural strength is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation element employs composite construction with an intermediate element made of lighter material (such as aluminum or composite materials) connecting the upper and lower flanges. This composite approach maintains the necessary structural strength and rigidity for conveyor operation while significantly reducing the overall weight, thereby lowering energy consumption during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material properties to different parts of the transportation element based on local requirements. The intermediate element uses lighter materials where full strength is not required, while the flanges use materials optimized for their specific functions. This localized material selection maintains structural integrity where needed while minimizing weight elsewhere, reducing overall energy consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transportation element (7; 8; 9) for a people conveyor (70), which is configured to be moved in a conveying direction, comprises a lower flange (24); an upper flange (22); and an intermediate element (26) connecting the upper the flange (22) with the lower flange (24).