Conveyor Belt End Connector Bonding With Heat-Aligned Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching connector elements to conveyor belt ends are either complex or risk a temporary, doughy adhesive bond, leading to potential misalignment and instability during the attachment process.

Innovation Solution

A method using a connector element with a base layer and adhesive layer, where the adhesive layer is activated by heat and reinforced with a cooled pressing device to ensure a firm bond, combined with a positioning device for precise alignment and attachment, allowing for a metal-free and secure connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a heated pressing device is used to activate the adhesive layer, then the adhesive bond strength is improved, but the bond remains temporary and doughy during the attachment process, risking misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bond strengthVSAvoidalignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using a positioning device to pre-align the connector element with the belt end before the adhesive bond becomes fully firm. The positioning device maintains the correct spatial relationship during the adhesive curing process, preventing misalignment that would occur if only heating were used without preliminary positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device acts as an intermediary between the connector element and the belt end, maintaining their relative positions during the adhesive bonding process. This intermediary mechanism ensures alignment stability while the adhesive transitions from a doughy state to a firm bond.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If wire hooks are used to penetrate the belt, then mechanical connection is achieved, but the attachment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connectionVSAvoidattachment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire hook penetration system with a thermal adhesive bonding system. Instead of mechanically penetrating the belt with wire hooks, the adhesive layer is heated to activate bonding, significantly simplifying the attachment process and increasing productivity while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bonding mechanism from mechanical (wire hooks) to thermal (heated adhesive). By changing the physical parameter of the adhesive from cold to heated state, the bonding process becomes faster and simpler while achieving equivalent or superior connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the connector element is positioned before adhesive bonding, then alignment precision is improved, but the connector element may shift during the bonding process when the adhesive is not yet firm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device performs preliminary alignment of the connector element with the belt end before adhesive bonding begins. This preliminary positioning ensures precise alignment is achieved before the adhesive is applied and heated, establishing the correct spatial relationship from the start.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining the aligned position of the connector element during the entire adhesive bonding process. It prevents shifting that would occur due to the doughy state of the adhesive, ensuring position stability throughout the critical bonding phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 method enables a safe, time-saving, and secure attachment of connector elements to conveyor belt ends, ensuring precise alignment and a stable connection, even when the adhesive bond is not yet fully firm, preventing movement and ensuring reliable coupling of belt ends.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer which is arranged on one side of the base layer and adheres under the action of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat activation of adhesive: Heating

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive layer which is arranged on one side of the base layer and adheres under the action of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3382231B1Method for applying a connector element to an end of a conveyor belt
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 MATO
  • EP3382231B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3382231B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3382231B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention proposes a method for attaching a connector element (3) to a belt end (2) of a conveyor belt (1), the connector element (3) having a base layer (4) and one arranged on one side (5) of the base layer (4). , has an adhesive layer (6) that sticks under the action of heat, and the base layer (4) is provided with passages (8) in a central area (7). The method has the following features: - arranging the connector element (3) at the belt end (2), the connector element (3), positioned in a U-shape, arranged on opposite sides of the belt (1) and on a front side of the belt (1). the passages (8) are positioned in the area of ​​the U-shaped deflection of the connector element (3) and the adhesive layer (6) is arranged facing the belt (1) on its opposite sides, - connecting the connector element (3) in the area the opposite sides of the belt (1) to the belt (1), the connector element (3) being glued to the belt (1) under the action of a heated pressing device (26) arranged on both sides of the belt (3).