One-Piece Sheet Metal Belt Scale Frame Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt scales for conveyor systems face challenges in achieving reliable and secure weight measurement while maintaining low manufacturing costs and efficient production processes.
Innovation Solution
A belt scale with a one-piece metal frame part made from sheet metal, specifically designed to be stable and cost-effective, featuring an L or U-section central body with brackets for mounting and laser-cut components for efficient production, providing sufficient rigidity and flexibility without material connections like welds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lower frame part is manufactured using traditional methods with multiple parts and material connections (welding), then structural stability can be achieved, but manufacturing complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple frame parts into a single one-piece lower frame part made from sheet metal. This eliminates the need for material connections like welding between separate components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity through the continuous sheet metal construction and strategic bending zones that provide necessary flexibility and stability.
2Measurement precision
If the sheet metal thickness is increased to improve frame rigidity, then measurement precision improves, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific bending zones with reduced sheet metal thickness (or different properties) in areas where flexibility is needed for forming, while maintaining adequate thickness in load-bearing areas for rigidity. This allows the frame to achieve sufficient stiffness for accurate weight measurement while remaining manufacturable through cold forming or bending processes.
3Productivity
If traditional multi-part construction with welds is used, then structural strength can be achieved, but production time and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The one-piece lower frame part is designed to achieve its structural strength and rigidity through its own geometry, bending zones, and sheet metal properties rather than relying on additional material connections. This self-sufficient design eliminates welding operations, reduces production time, and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the necessary frame strength for belt scale applications.
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
The solution enables reliable and secure weight measurement of goods on conveyor belts with a stable and cost-effective belt scale design, ensuring efficient production and effective use in conveyor systems.
Implementation Method 1
the metal sheet is preferably cut by means of a laser
Implementation Method 2
which can be formed by bending, in particular cold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a belt scale for installation in a belt conveyor with at least one support roller 13 over which a belt of the belt conveyor can be guided, and with an upper and lower frame part 2, 3, between which at least one load cell 4, 5 is arranged, wherein the at least one support roller is arranged on the upper frame part 2 of the belt scale, wherein at least one of the frame parts 3 is at least partially made in one piece from a sheet metal part which is formed into a three-dimensional shaped body by cutting and/or incising the sheet metal and bending partial areas of the sheet metal.