Conveyor Belt Joining Plate Sheath for Thickness Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor belt joining methods require multiple molds for varying belt thicknesses, leading to increased manufacturing, storage, and distribution costs, and lack a means for monitoring belt condition to prevent breakage.
Innovation Solution
A three-part joining device with identical upper and lower plates and a central spacer, incorporating a sleeve for electronic equipment like RFID chips or sensors, ensuring extensibility and resistance to conveyor belt stresses, and allowing for easy installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple molds are used for varying conveyor belt thicknesses, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The joining device is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple conveyor belt thicknesses using a single mold. The device includes adjustable components and a standardized interface that allows it to adapt to different belt specifications without requiring multiple specialized molds, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining device incorporates adjustable parameters such as modular spacers or variable thickness components that can be configured to match different conveyor belt thicknesses. This allows a single mold design to produce joining devices that can be adapted to various belt specifications by changing the configuration of these adjustable parameters rather than requiring multiple fixed molds.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional joining methods are used, then manufacturing costs increase, but there is no means for monitoring belt condition
Solution Approach 1:
The joining device merges the mechanical joining function with an integrated electronic monitoring system. Sensors and RFID chips are embedded within the joining device structure itself, combining the fastening mechanism and the monitoring capability into a single integrated component. This allows cost-effective manufacturing while simultaneously providing real-time belt condition monitoring that was previously unavailable with traditional joining methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining device performs self-monitoring of the conveyor belt condition through integrated sensors that continuously track parameters such as tension, temperature, and wear. This self-service monitoring capability is built into the joining device itself, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems and reducing overall manufacturing costs while providing valuable belt condition information.
3Reliability
If joining devices are made with high extensibility to withstand conveyor belt stresses, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joining device utilizes composite materials that combine high extensibility with structural integrity. The device incorporates reinforced elastomer or synthetic material with embedded textile reinforcement, creating a composite structure that can withstand the tensile and compressive forces experienced during conveyor belt operation. This composite construction provides the necessary reliability without requiring overly complex structural designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining device is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to the varying stress conditions of conveyor belt operation. The material composition and structural design enable the device to exhibit appropriate extensibility under tension while maintaining stability under compression, allowing it to dynamically respond to operational loads without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
Reduces manufacturing complexity and costs by using a single mold design for multiple belt thicknesses, while enabling real-time monitoring to prevent belt breakage and optimize maintenance schedules.
Implementation Method 1
a textile reinforcement (14), exhibited extensibility in a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt
Implementation Method 2
the lower part (i.e., the part facing the outer surface of the rollers) is subjected to a compressive force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a plate for joining two end portions (21, 22) of a conveyor belt (20), the joining plate having two lateral edges each extending in a reference longitudinal direction (X) of the joining plate, the joining plate comprising two wings (121, 122) extending continuously in the reference longitudinal direction, each along one of the lateral edges, and each forming an attachment interface suitable for being attached to one of the end portions of the conveyor belt, and an intermediate region extending continuously in the reference longitudinal direction of the joining plate, the intermediate region being located at a distance from the lateral edges and connecting the two wings, characterised in that the intermediate region comprises a sheath (30) extending continuously in the reference longitudinal direction of the joining plate.