Conveyor Belt End Encapsulation for Clean, Reliable Splicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor belt systems face issues with contamination and damage to belt ends prior to splicing, leading to structurally compromised splices and prolonged plant shut-downs during maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An encapsulated belt end containment system that protects rubber conveyor belt materials and surfaces from environmental effects and contaminants by encapsulating the belt ends with containment materials, allowing for controlled preparation and storage before splicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If belt ends are exposed during preparation and storage before splicing, then the splicing process can be completed, but the belt ends become contaminated and damaged leading to compromised splice quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesplice qualityVSAvoidcontamination and damage to belt ends

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-encapsulating belt ends in protective covers before they are exposed to harmful environmental factors. This preventive measure protects the belt ends from contamination and damage during storage and transport, ensuring they remain ready for splicing without degradation of quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible protective covers or encapsulation materials that wrap around the belt ends to create a barrier against contaminants. These flexible shells protect the exposed cable groups and belt end surfaces while allowing the belt to be stored and transported in various positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If belt ends are protected during preparation, then contamination and damage are reduced, but the preparation and storage process takes longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesplice qualityVSAvoidtime for preparation and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing and encapsulating belt ends in advance during scheduled maintenance periods. This allows the belt ends to be pre-processed, protected, and stored ready for rapid deployment when needed, reducing the critical response time during unplanned shutdowns or emergencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If belt ends are prepared in advance during plant shutdown, then splicing time is reduced, but the belt ends are exposed to contamination and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesplicing speedVSAvoidcontamination and damage to belt ends

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Ease of manufacture

If multiple cable groups are exposed for splicing preparation, then the splice can be properly constructed, but the exposed cables are vulnerable to damage and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesplice constructionVSAvoidcable integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible protective covers or encapsulation materials that wrap around the exposed cable groups and belt end surfaces to create a barrier against contaminants. These flexible shells protect the exposed cables from physical damage and misalignment while allowing the belt to be stored and transported in various positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12397521B2Conveyor belt end encapsulation systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 CONTITECH DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

AI summary

One general aspect includes a method for generating an encapsulated belt containment system. The method also includes cutting a belt and removing rubber material from a portion of the belt to generate exposed belt end. The method also includes removing excess material from exposed cables of the exposed belt end. The method also includes organizing exposed cables into a plurality of cable groups and secure each group. The method also includes inserting the plurality of cable groups into a containment bag.