Overhead Cable Conveyor Belt Centering and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Overhead cable conveyor systems with movable rollers on carrying cables face control and maintenance challenges, particularly in large systems where instability issues arise due to the flexible nature of the cable structure.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a conveyor belt that moves on a series of stationary rollers supported by frame elements along the carrying cables, with centering means controlled by cables to prevent instability and improve stiffness, allowing for efficient transportation of materials over long spans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rollers are provided along the length of the belt to enable movement, then the conveyor belt can be supported and moved between ends, but the structure becomes complex and control and maintenance problems arise due to the large number of rollers required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyor belt support and movementVSAvoidnumber of rollers and their coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having rollers move with the conveyor belt, the invention inverts the relationship by making the rollers stationary and fixed to the support structure, while the conveyor belt moves over them. This eliminates the complexity of coordinating multiple moving rollers while maintaining reliable support and movement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into separate stationary roller units that are independently mounted to the support structure. Each roller unit operates independently, eliminating the need for complex coordination mechanisms while providing continuous support along the conveyor belt's path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If rollers are suspended on carrying cables to support the conveyor belt, then the structure can be flexible and adaptable, but instability problems arise particularly in long-span systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural flexibilityVSAvoidconveyor belt stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional arrangement by making the rollers stationary and fixed to the support structure rather than suspended on cables. This eliminates the instability inherent in suspended roller systems while maintaining structural flexibility through the support structure's design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary rollers act as an intermediary element between the flexible support structure and the moving conveyor belt. They provide a stable interface that allows the support structure to remain flexible while ensuring stable support for the conveyor belt during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a large number of rollers are provided along the belt length, then the conveyor belt can be supported throughout its length, but control and maintenance problems increase due to the complexity of coordinating all rollers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous conveyor belt supportVSAvoidroller coordination and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By making the rollers stationary rather than moving with the belt, the invention eliminates the need to coordinate their movement. Each stationary roller simply rotates in place, dramatically simplifying control while maintaining continuous support throughout the conveyor belt's length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary rollers are designed to rotate freely on their own without requiring external coordination or control mechanisms. Each roller serves itself by simply rotating as the conveyor belt passes over it, eliminating the need for complex coordination systems and reducing maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1958896B1An overhead cable conveyor system with a semicircular, deep, hollow conveyor belt

Publication Date: 2011.08.03 AGUDIO

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AI summary

An overhead cable conveyor system comprises a conveyor belt (30) extending between two ends (10, 20) of the system so as to define an upper, conveyor pass (31) and a lower, return pass (32) of the belt, and a pair of upper carrying cables (40) and a pair of lower carrying cables (50) which extend between the ends (10, 20) of the system and can support the conveyor belt. A plurality of rigid frame elements (70) are distributed along the conveyor pass (31). Each frame element is suspended on the pair of upper carrying cables and on the pair of lower carrying cables. An upper series (80) of rollers and a lower series (90) of rollers are suspended on the frame element and support the conveyor pass and the return pass of the belt. Belt centering devices (100, 100', 110, 120, 130) are provided and are of the type comprising an upper control cable (120) and a lower control cable (130) to which the central points (80c, 90c, 80c') of the upper series (80) and of the lower series (90) of rollers are articulated.