Conveyor Belt Chain Link Bulging Part Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts with chain links and recess parts are prone to detachment and deformation when subjected to external forces, leading to potential failure and reduced durability during operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bulging part with a restricting part at the end portion of the chain links, which protrudes in the same direction as the first hinge parts, to limit the expansion of the recess part and prevent detachment of unit members like ball or roller units, thereby enhancing the belt's resistance to external forces and maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveyor belt is designed with chain links and recess parts for unit members, then the belt can convey items at double speed and change direction, but the recess parts are prone to expansion and unit members may detach when external force is applied to the end portion
Solution Approach 1:
The bulging part with restricting part is pre-formed at the end portion of the chain link before operation. When external force is applied during conveyance, this pre-formed structure immediately restricts the expansion of the recess part, preventing unit member detachment without requiring real-time intervention or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulging part acts as a cushioning structure that absorbs and distributes external forces applied to the end portion of the conveyor belt. By providing this protective structure in advance, the design prevents direct transmission of impact forces to the recess parts and unit members, thereby maintaining attachment reliability during high-speed conveyance and direction changes.
2Shape
If the first hinge part at the end portion is made narrower to align with other first hinge parts, then the spacing is uniform, but the end portion becomes more vulnerable to external forces causing deformation and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The chain link is designed with different structural qualities at different locations: the first hinge part at the end portion is made narrower to maintain uniform spacing, while simultaneously a bulging part with restricting part is added to this specific location to provide enhanced strength and resistance to external forces. This local differentiation allows both uniform appearance and localized reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain link introduces asymmetry by adding the bulging part with restricting part only at the end portion, while other portions maintain symmetric, uniform structure. This asymmetric design allows the end portion to have specialized protective functionality without affecting the uniform spacing and structure of other chain links.
3Ease of operation
If the recess part is allowed to expand freely when external force is applied, then the chain link can pivot freely, but the unit member may detach from the recess part
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting part of the bulging part is positioned to preemptively counteract the expansion tendency of the recess part when external force is applied. This preliminary anti-action prevents the recess part from expanding enough to allow unit member detachment, while still permitting the necessary pivoting motion for chain link operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A conveyor belt (11) is formed by coupling multiple chain links 15 aligned in a conveyance direction X. The chain link (15) is provided with multiple recess parts (15a) and first hinge parts (21) protruding in the conveyance direction X from positions between which each of the recess parts (15a) is placed. If some object hits on an outer end of the conveyor belt (11) to apply force to the first hinge part (21), a section including the first hinge part (21) and a bulging part (30) pivots about a fulcrum at an outer base end of the first hinge part (21) to deform this section. In this invention, a point of action where force acts on the conveyor belt (11) and the center of pivotal motion of the first hinge part (21) and the bulging part (30) are determined to be spaced by a relatively short distance.