Cable Conveyor Belt Fastener for Rapid Mechanical Splicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steel cable conveyor belts are difficult to repair due to the labor-intensive and time-consuming process, which involves specialized tools and skilled personnel, leading to significant downtime and productivity losses in heavy-duty applications.
Innovation Solution
A fastener system comprising a crimp, fastener body, and attachment members that secure to the conveyor belt cables, allowing for a mechanical splice without the need for a vulcanizing press, enabling quick installation and repair using common tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vulcanizing press splicing is used to repair steel cable conveyor belts, then the splice strength and reliability are improved, but the repair time and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The splice assembly is divided into separate modular components: a fastener body, a cable receiving portion with crimp, and a belt receiving portion with clamping members. These segments can be independently assembled and installed, eliminating the need for complex vulcanizing presses while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical/thermal vulcanizing process is replaced with a purely mechanical fastening system. The crimp secures cables mechanically, and clamping members hold the belt ends together with high friction and mechanical pressure, substituting the vulcanizing press's thermal-mechanical bonding process.
2Reliability
If conventional vulcanizing press splicing is used to repair steel cable conveyor belts, then the splice strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of operation and equipment requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The complex thermal-mechanical vulcanizing press system is replaced with simple mechanical fastening components. The crimp and clamping members can be installed using basic hand tools, eliminating the need for specialized vulcanizing equipment and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design includes self-aligning and self-securing features where the crimp automatically grips the cable and the clamping members naturally clamp the belt ends together, reducing the skill level and complexity of the installation process.
3Reliability
If conventional vulcanizing press splicing is used to repair steel cable conveyor belts, then the permanent repair quality is improved, but the productivity loss during repair increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repair process is segmented into quick mechanical assembly steps rather than a continuous lengthy vulcanizing cycle. The modular fastener components can be rapidly installed and removed, allowing for efficient temporary repairs that maintain productivity while permanent repairs are planned.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system provides dynamic adjustability where clamping members can be tightened or loosened as needed, and the entire assembly can be quickly removed and replaced. This dynamic capability allows rapid response to belt failures without the fixed, time-consuming vulcanizing process.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional vulcanizing press splicing is used to repair steel cable conveyor belts, then the splice durability is improved, but the device complexity and specialized tools required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The splice system is divided into durable, replaceable components: a permanently installed crimp on the cable, a fastener body anchored to the belt, and removable clamping members. This segmentation allows the critical load-bearing elements to be durable while keeping the overall system simple and tool-free for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex thermal-mechanical vulcanizing press system is replaced with simple mechanical fastening components. The crimp and clamping members can be installed using basic hand tools, eliminating the need for specialized vulcanizing equipment and reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a fastener is provided for securing to an end of a conveyor belt having cables. The fastener comprises a crimp configured to be fixed to a conveyor belt cable and a connector. The connector has a unitary, one-piece fastener body with an upper portion for being disposed adjacent an upper surface of the conveyor belt end and a lower portion for being disposed adjacent a lower surface of the conveyor belt end. The upper and lower portions are spaced apart to receive the crimp therebetween and permit the conveyor belt cable to extend in an outboard direction between the upper and lower portions. The connector includes a stop arranged to block inboard movement of the crimp and the conveyor belt cable fixed thereto.