Concave Conveyance Element Geometry for Compact Conveyor Turnarounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional people conveyors, such as moving walkways, require significant space for turnaround portions, leading to large construction sizes and heights due to the need for extensive guiding of conveyance elements around these areas.
Innovation Solution
The conveyance elements are designed with a concave portion on their inner side, allowing them to be positioned closer to the axle in turnaround sections, reducing the necessary space and overall dimensions by accommodating the rotating axle efficiently, and featuring a combination of materials and manufacturing methods for the body and tread plate, such as steel and aluminum, or extruded profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional conveyance elements with flat inner sides are used, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the turnaround portion space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner side of the conveyance element is formed with a concave portion that has a curved cross-section, allowing it to accommodate the circular cross-section of the rotating axle more efficiently. This curvature enables the conveyance element to be positioned closer to the axle center, reducing the turnaround portion radius and overall space requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The concave portion of the conveyance element is designed to nest around the rotating axle, with the concave shape accommodating the circular axle cross-section. This nesting arrangement allows tighter packing and reduces the space needed for the turnaround portion while maintaining proper mechanical engagement.
2Area of stationary object
If the conveyance element is positioned closer to the axle in turnaround portions, then the turnaround space is reduced, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance element body is designed with varying wall thicknesses, with thicker sections positioned at the concave portion and critical structural areas. This local reinforcement ensures that the element can withstand the mechanical stresses of turnaround operations while maintaining the space-saving concave geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance element combines different materials with complementary properties: an aluminum extrusion profile provides the base structure with good strength-to-weight ratio, while steel sheets are used for the tread plate and reinforced sections to provide high strength and wear resistance at critical locations.
3Ease of manufacture
If different materials are used for the body and tread plate, then the optimization of each component is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance element is divided into separate components: an aluminum extrusion profile for the body and steel sheets for the tread plate. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using the most suitable process and material for its specific functional requirements, then assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The design facilitates easy assembly of the different material components through standardized connection methods. The aluminum extrusion profile includes mounting features that accommodate steel sheet attachment, creating an intermediary connection system that simplifies the joining of dissimilar materials.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance element (20) for a conveyor (1), in particular for a people conveyor such as a moving walkway (2), is configured for being moved in a conveying direction and comprises an outer side (20a) configured for accommodating and supporting passengers; and an opposing inner side (20b) facing away from the outer side (20a). At least a portion of the inner side (20b) is a concave portion (32) having a concave shape along the conveying direction.