Concave Transport Plate Structure for Smooth Dross Conveyor Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser beam machine conveyors experience thermal deformation of transportation plates due to laser irradiation, leading to hindered smooth movement of the conveyor system.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a first transportation plate with a concave portion that extends in the direction of laser beam irradiation, opposing thermal deflections at the middle and front end portions to minimize overall deformation, allowing for smooth movement of the conveyor system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat transportation plate is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but thermal deformation occurs under laser irradiation causing hindered smooth movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsmooth movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transportation plate incorporates a concave portion in its middle region, transforming the flat surface into a curved geometry. This curvature allows the plate to flex and accommodate thermal expansion under laser irradiation, preventing deformation that would hinder smooth movement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the transportation plate is made rigid to maintain stability, then positioning accuracy is improved, but thermal deformation increases under laser irradiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidthermal deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transportation plate is divided into distinct functional zones: a rigid front end portion for stable positioning, a concave middle portion that can flex to accommodate thermal expansion, and connection portions linking them. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions - stability where needed and flexibility where thermal stress occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the transportation plate have different structural properties. The front end portion maintains rigidity for stable workpiece positioning, while the middle portion incorporates a concave shape that provides flexibility to handle thermal deformation, creating local quality variations that optimize both stability and thermal resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively reduces thermal deformation of transportation plates, enabling smooth operation and efficient transport of dross and cut-off pieces generated by laser machining.

Implementation Method 1

irradiation of a laser beam on a workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser irradiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

dross generated by irradiation of a laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion: Heating

Implementation Method 3

a direction in which the first middle portion is thermally deflected by irradiation of a laser beam on the first concave portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal deflection: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP4706869A1Dross conveyor, laser machining device, and workpiece machining method
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 YAMAZAKI MAZAK KK
  • EP4706869A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706869A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4706869A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dross transportation conveyor includes: a group of transportation plates including a first transportation plate and a second transportation plate, the first transportation plate extending in a first direction, the second transportation plate being disposed to be adjacent to the first transportation plate and extending in the first direction, the group of transportation plates transporting dross generated by irradiation of a laser beam on a workpiece. The first transportation plate includes: a first front end portion; a first rear end portion; and a first middle portion including a first concave portion that extends in the first direction, the first middle portion connecting the first front end portion with the first rear end portion.