Conical Roller Shrink Conveyor for Gradual Strip Relaxation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shrink conveyors for tire components suffer from sub-optimal relaxation of elastomeric material due to abrupt speed changes, leading to inconsistencies, deformations, and residual stress, with safety hazards from moving parts and limited adjustability and accuracy in controlling roller speeds.

Innovation Solution

A shrink conveyor with fixed roller positions and variable transmission ratios achieved through conical drive profiles on each roller, allowing for individually controlled rotation speeds and reduced gaps between conveyors, enhancing safety and precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rollers are driven at constant speed in discrete stages, then the conveyor structure is simple, but the elastomeric material relaxation is sub-optimal causing inconsistencies and deformations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire component consistencyVSAvoidconveyor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, discrete speed stages to a dynamic, continuous speed variation system. The drive member rotates between neutral and skewed orientations, creating a continuous gradient of transmission ratios that allows the rollers to gradually reduce speed along the transport direction, enabling optimal relaxation of the elastomeric material without abrupt transitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter continuously along the transport direction by skewing the drive member. This creates a gradient where each roller receives a different transmission ratio based on its position, allowing precise control of roller speeds to match the relaxation requirements of the elastomeric material at each stage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If all rollers have identical shape with conical drive profiles, then manufacturing is simplified, but individual speed control accuracy is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller speed control accuracyVSAvoidroller manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by giving each roller a conical drive profile with a specific taper rate suited to its position in the transport direction. While all rollers share the same conical geometry for manufacturing simplicity, the varying taper rates create locally optimized speed control characteristics for each position, enabling accurate individual speed control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a moving endless chain with oblique rail is used, then variable speed control is achieved, but safety hazards from pinch points increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed control flexibilityVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the dangerous moving chain and oblique rail mechanism and replaces it with a stationary drive member that rotates between neutral and skewed orientations. This eliminates the pinch points associated with moving chains while preserving the ability to provide variable speed control through the drive member's rotational positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If large diameter pulleys are used for chain movement, then the endless chain can move rollers, but the gap between conveyors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller transportVSAvoidgap between conveyors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical chain-pulley system with a direct drive member that contacts the conical drive profiles of the rollers. This eliminates the need for large diameter pulleys and the associated gaps, while still providing effective roller transport and speed control through the skewed orientation of the drive member

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides improved adjustability, accuracy, and safety by allowing gradual speed adjustments, reducing deformations and stress in tire components, while minimizing safety risks from moving parts.

Implementation Method 1

the first drive member is arranged for rotating the plurality of rollers through contact with said first driven parts at a rotation speed in a transmission ratio to the speed of the first drive member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20260001739A1Shrink conveyor and method for allowing shrink in a continuous strip

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 VMI HOLLAND BV

AI summary

A shrink conveyor and a method are provided for allowing shrink in a continuous strip, wherein the shrink conveyor comprises a plurality of rollers, a frame that defines a plurality of roller positions and a first drive member for driving the plurality of rollers, wherein each roller of the plurality of rollers comprises a first driven part that has a first drive profile that tapers, wherein the first drive member is arranged for rotating the plurality of rollers through contact with said first driven parts at a rotation speed in a transmission ratio to the speed of the first drive member in such a way that the first drive member contacts the first driven part of each roller of the at least three rollers at a different diameter for each roller.