Closed-Loop Cogged Belt Transport With Rotating Fixing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems using a cogged belt with a vertical axis face issues with the stability and orientation of support elements due to flexion stresses and impacts during movement, leading to potential coupling breaks and noise, especially when transitioning between straight and curved belt portions.
Innovation Solution
A guide system with continuous upper and lower channels and sliding elements that rotate and translate to maintain the orientation of fixing elements, ensuring stability and continuous belt activation without noise, even at high speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If sliding block elements are used to maintain stability of support elements, then stability is improved, but impacts and stresses occur during transitions between straight and curved portions causing coupling breaks and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the fixing elements rotatable rather than fixed. The fixing elements can rotate to adapt to the changing geometry of the belt (straight and curved portions), eliminating impacts and stresses that occur with fixed sliding block elements during transitions. This dynamic adaptation maintains both stability and reliability simultaneously.
2Stability of the object's composition
If sliding block elements are constrained in straight guides, then stability during straight portions is improved, but sticking occurs during transitions jeopardizing continuous activation
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing elements are designed to rotate freely, adapting dynamically to the belt's geometry changes. This eliminates the sticking problem that occurs with constrained sliding block elements during transitions between straight and curved portions, ensuring continuous belt activation while maintaining stability during transport.
3Strength
If fixing elements are arranged internally on the inner side of the cogged belt, then coupling is achieved, but flexion stresses during activation compromise product orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing elements are designed to rotate about their own axes, allowing them to adapt to the flexion stresses generated during belt activation. This dynamic capability maintains the coupling strength while preserving correct product orientation, as the fixing elements can adjust their angular position to accommodate belt deformation.
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 stabilizes support elements and maintains product orientation, ensuring smooth and noise-free operation by adapting to changes in belt geometry, preventing coupling issues and ensuring continuous belt activation.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding elements (31, 32, 41, 42) are configured to be able to slide internally of the guide channels (11, 21)... ensuring smooth and noise-free operation by adapting to changes in belt geometry
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A transport system (100) of products according to a closed looped transport path, comprising: a cogged belt (D) wound in a closed loop; a series of support elements (S) of the products, coupled in a cantilever fashion to the cogged belt (D); a series of fixing elements (1), configured so as to be arranged internally of the cogged belt (D) for fixing the support elements (S) in a cantilever fashion to the cogged belt (D), and a guide system (10) for the fixing elements (1).