Cable Transport System Using Converging Circulating Belts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cables in cable processing machines are prone to unwanted movements and deformations, leading to jamming, damage, and processing errors due to being pushed rather than pulled, which results in inefficient processing and potential damage to the cable or machine parts.
Innovation Solution
A belt drive-like transport system with parallel circulating belts that guide, enclose, or release the cable by adjusting the position of protruding conveying elements, allowing the cable to be pulled into the machine, thereby minimizing collisions and maintaining better control over the cable's routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cable is pushed into the cable processing machine, then the cable can be fed into the machine, but the cable is prone to unwanted movements and deformations leading to jamming and damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the cable into the machine as in conventional systems, the transport system pulls the cable in using two circulating belts with conveying elements that grip and draw the cable into the processing machine, fundamentally inverting the force application direction to eliminate pushing-related instability and deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transport mechanism from a single-direction push to a dual-belt pull system with adjustable conveying elements, transforming the cable transport parameters to achieve better control, reduced deformation, and improved reliability during cable feeding
2Productivity
If a conveyor belt is used to transport the cable, then the cable can be moved through the machine, but the cable is not well guided and controlled, causing collisions and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system divides the cable support function into two separate circulating belts with multiple conveying elements distributed along their lengths, allowing segmented contact points that provide both transport efficiency and precise routing control throughout the cable's path through the machine
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying elements on the belts act as intermediaries between the cable and the machine structure, providing controlled contact points that guide the cable through the processing machine, prevent collisions with stationary parts, and maintain reliable routing while enabling efficient transport
3Reliability
If the cable is held firmly during transport, then the cable routing is controlled, but the cable cannot rotate to reduce torsional stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system employs dynamic conveying elements on circulating belts that can adapt their grip on the cable, providing sufficient control to prevent unwanted movements while allowing controlled rotation around the cable's longitudinal axis to relieve torsional stresses during transport
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a~3a
AI summary
The wire transporting system (11) comprises a first conveyor device comprising a first set of conveyor elements (21), and a second conveyor device comprising a second set of conveyor elements (31). The conveyor devices are being movable towards each other to place both the set of conveyor elements into a wire transport position. The conveyor devices are moved away from each other to place both the set of conveyor elements into a wire release position. Both the conveyor devices comprise respective endless belts (20,30) connected to respective pulleys (22,23). An independent claim is included for wire transporting method.