Conveyor Belt Aperture Alignment for Accurate Comestible Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts in comestible processing systems often fail to accurately align their ends, leading to incorrect product transfer, uneven wear, and damage to tender comestibles due to improper tracking and handling.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor belt design featuring two rows of apertures parallel to its edges, allowing for precise alignment and connection of ends using pins and welding, along with a wire system to prevent comestible damage during transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conveyor belt ends are connected without precise alignment features, then the belt can be assembled quickly, but the tracking accuracy deteriorates causing product transfer errors and comestible damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming aperture patterns on the conveyor belt ends before assembly. These apertures are positioned in advance to guide pin insertion and ensure accurate alignment of the belt ends during connection, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt is segmented into modular sections with standardized aperture patterns. This segmentation allows the belt to be assembled from multiple sections while maintaining consistent alignment through the repeated aperture patterns, balancing assembly simplicity with tracking precision
2Strength
If conveyor belt ends are welded extensively to ensure strong connection, then the connection strength improves, but the belt flexibility and ability to accommodate tracking adjustments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The welding connection is segmented into discrete locations corresponding to the aperture positions. Rather than continuous welding across the entire belt end, welds are applied only at specific points where pins pass through apertures, providing sufficient structural strength while leaving portions of the belt unwelded to maintain flexibility for tracking adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating welding efforts at specific localized regions (aperture areas) rather than uniformly across the entire belt end. This creates strong connections at critical joint points while preserving the overall flexibility and adjustability of the conveyor belt structure
3Measurement precision
If conveyor belt tracking is not accurately controlled, then the belt operation is simple, but product transfer accuracy deteriorates leading to incorrect positioning and comestible damage
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture patterns are pre-formed on the conveyor belt during manufacturing, establishing precise reference points for alignment before the belt is put into operation. This preliminary preparation ensures accurate tracking and product transfer positioning is built into the belt structure itself, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures during operation
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
Enhances accurate tracking, reduces comestible damage, and increases processing efficiency by ensuring consistent belt alignment and gentle handling of tender products.
Implementation Method 1
welding corresponding regions from the second plurality of regions and the fourth plurality of regions; welding the first end portion of the conveyor belt with the second end portion of the conveyor belt
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using a continuous conveyor belt. One of the systems includes a conveyor belt adapted to move a plurality of comestibles and having i) a first edge, ii) a second edge opposite the first edge, iii) a first row of apertures that is substantially parallel to the first edge, and iv) a second row of apertures that is substantially parallel to the second edge.