Bulk Material Transport System with Intermediate Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk material transport systems face interruptions that reduce work output due to the inability to seamlessly switch between transport and storage modes without stopping machines.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that divert bulk material from conveyor belts to a storage medium for intermediate storage, allowing for immediate resumption of transport without halting other machines, using a deflection device like a pivotable flap or chute to redirect material flow between conveyor belts and a storage conveyor belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bulk material transport systems operate without intermediate storage capability, then the system structure remains simple, but work interruptions occur that reduce productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The storage conveyor belt is arranged below the conveyor line, nesting the storage function within the existing transport structure. This vertical integration allows intermediate storage without expanding the horizontal footprint or significantly complicating the system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage conveyor belt acts as an intermediary element between the incoming and outgoing conveyor belts. It temporarily holds bulk material when interruptions occur, mediating between the continuous feed from upstream and the intermittent demand downstream, thereby preventing work stoppages.
2Productivity
If the conveyor line stops to handle interruptions, then material flow can be controlled, but machine operation ceases and productivity drops
Solution Approach 1:
The storage conveyor belt is positioned and configured in advance to receive and hold bulk material before any interruption occurs. When a stoppage is needed downstream, the material is already staged in the storage conveyor, allowing the upstream machines to continue operating without immediate disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage conveyor belt enables continuous operation of upstream machinery by decoupling the continuous material feed from the intermittent downstream demand. The storage function ensures that useful action (material transport preparation) continues even when the full system must pause, maintaining productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a storage medium is added to the conveyor system, then intermediate storage is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage conveyor belt serves dual functions: it acts as a standard conveyor belt for material transport and simultaneously functions as a storage medium when needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated storage structures, reducing overall system complexity while providing adaptability between transport and storage modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between transport mode and storage mode based on operational needs. The storage conveyor belt can be activated or deactivated, and its function changes from pure conveyance to temporary storage and back, providing operational flexibility without permanent structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The method involves selectively deflecting bulk materials (2) from conveyor tracks (7) to a storage medium (15) e.g. storage conveyor belt (18), by a deflecting device (19) for intermediate storage of the bulk materials on the storage medium. The storage medium is provided with receiving and dropping ends (16, 17). The storage conveyor belt is arranged above and/or below the conveyor tracks. The bulk materials are returned again on the conveyor tracks for terminating the intermediate storage. The deflecting device is formed by a pivotable flap (20) and/or a chute (21). An independent claim is also included for a transport system.