Conveyor Belt Positioning Near Sealing Heads to Correct Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat treatment machines for yarns face challenges in maintaining the straightness of conveyor belts due to aging and deformation, which leads to drift and potential snagging, requiring precise positioning and correction mechanisms that are sensitive to deformation and amplifying the need for complex assembly and stress management.
Innovation Solution
A device with positioning means and position control systems acting on a short zone near each sealing head, utilizing a proportional analog sensor connected to a calculation means and servo drive to control the actuator for micro-pivotings of the sealing head, allowing continuous correction of conveyor belt drift without significant seal head movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sealing heads are mounted on vertical pivot axes at a distance from the conveyor belt, then the conveyor belt can be positioned and straightened, but the lever arm effect amplifies the required movement amplitude and increases mechanical stress on the pivot axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the sealing head assembly by introducing a separate positioning roller (13) that can move independently along the conveyor belt width. This separates the positioning function from the sealing function, allowing the sealing head to remain stationary while the positioning roller makes micro-adjustments to correct belt drift, thereby eliminating the lever arm effect and reducing mechanical stress on the pivot axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning roller acts as an intermediary element between the control system and the conveyor belt. It translates electrical control signals into mechanical positioning actions through a screw mechanism, enabling precise belt alignment without requiring large movements of the sealing head assembly. This intermediary mechanism reduces the amplification effect and mechanical stress.
2Productivity
If detection cells are placed at the ends of the machine close to sealing heads, then conveyor belt drift can be detected and corrected, but the sensors become sensitive to conveyor belt deformation and aging curves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning function by placing multiple sensors (11, 12) at different locations along the conveyor belt path, rather than relying on a single detection cell near the sealing head. This segmentation allows the system to detect belt drift at multiple points and distinguish between actual drift and belt deformation, improving measurement precision while maintaining continuous positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning roller with screw mechanism creates a mechanical copy of the desired belt position, physically aligning the belt by contact rather than relying solely on optical sensor detection. This mechanical copying approach is less sensitive to belt deformation and aging curves compared to optical sensors alone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sealing heads are positioned far from the pivot axis, then the assembly can accommodate belt positioning, but significant overhang creates stresses requiring larger dimensioning of assembly elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the sealing head assembly by introducing a separate positioning roller (13) that can move independently along the conveyor belt width. This separates the positioning function from the sealing function, allowing the sealing head to remain stationary while the positioning roller makes micro-adjustments to correct belt drift, thereby eliminating the lever arm effect and reducing mechanical stress on the pivot axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning roller is designed with dynamic movement capability along the conveyor belt width through a screw mechanism driven by a motor. This dynamic positioning system allows the roller to adapt to belt drift in real-time without requiring the sealing head assembly to have large overhang or high strength dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for positioning a conveyor belt moving in yarn heat treatment machines, essentially consisting of a pressurized chamber through which a conveyor belt (2) passes and which is closed at each end by a sealing head mounted on a frame or movable door (3) connected to the pressurized chamber by means of a bellows (4). Each sealing head comprises a pair of superimposed horizontal rollers (5, 6) that are pressed against opposite faces of the conveyor belt (2). The device is characterized in that it comprises a positioning means (8) and a position control means (9) acting on a very short area in the immediate vicinity of each sealing head. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of the textile industry, especially in the treatment of yarns using heat treatment machines commonly called heat-setting machines.