Conveyor Belt Encoder Roller Inclination for Measurement Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyance apparatuses with endless conveyor belts face issues with accurate conveyance quantity reading due to deflection-induced oscillations causing instantaneous displacement of the pressing roller, leading to sharp changes in contact pressure and measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features an encoder roller and rotary encoder system where the conveyor belt is inclined relative to the platen, forming an obtuse angle, ensuring the belt is pulled towards the encoder roller, reducing separation and maintaining contact, thus allowing accurate conveyance quantity reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the conveyor belt is pinched by an encoder roller and a pressing roller to enable direct detection of conveyance quantity, then the conveyance accuracy is improved, but the deflection portion of the conveyor belt oscillates causing instantaneous displacement of the pressing roller and measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a platen as an intermediary component with a flat supporting surface that supports the conveyor belt from the inside. The encoder roller is positioned between the first roller and the platen, creating a stable triangular support structure. This intermediary platen provides a rigid reference surface that prevents the conveyor belt from deflecting downward, thereby stabilizing the contact between the encoder roller and the conveyor belt while maintaining accurate conveyance quantity detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the conveyor belt path by making it inclined relative to the supporting surface of the platen, forming an obtuse angle. This parameter change ensures that the conveyor belt is pulled toward the encoder roller rather than deflecting away, maintaining stable contact pressure. The contact position is specifically positioned between the first imaginary plane including the supporting surface and a second imaginary plane spreading through the nearer end of the supporting surface, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and stability.
2Measurement precision
If the pressing roller applies force to the conveyor belt for encoder roller contact, then conveyance quantity can be detected, but the oscillation of the deflection portion causes instantaneous change in pressing force leading to encoder roller tracking errors
Solution Approach 1:
The platen acts as a mediator that provides a stable supporting surface for the conveyor belt. By supporting the belt from the inside with a rigid flat surface, the platen prevents excessive deflection that would cause oscillations. This stable support ensures that the encoder roller maintains consistent contact with the conveyor belt without tracking errors, while still allowing accurate conveyance quantity reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The platen provides an upward supporting force that counteracts the downward deflection of the conveyor belt. This counterbalancing support prevents the formation of large deflection portions that would oscillate and cause the pressing roller to displace instantaneously, thereby maintaining reliable encoder roller tracking.
3Manufacturing precision
If the conveyor belt is stretched tightly between drive roller and slave roller, then conveyance control is improved, but deflection portions still oscillate perpendicular to the conveyance surface causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The platen serves as an intermediary support structure that addresses the oscillation problem without compromising conveyance control. By providing internal support to the conveyor belt from the inside, the platen stabilizes the belt path in the region where the encoder roller makes contact, preventing oscillations that would affect measurement precision while allowing the belt to remain tightly stretched for accurate conveyance control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local support only where needed - the platen supports the conveyor belt from the inside in the specific region between the first roller and the encoder roller, rather than supporting the entire belt uniformly. This localized support prevents oscillations at the critical measurement point without affecting the overall tension and control characteristics of the conveyor belt system.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance apparatus includes a platen having a flat supporting surface that supports a conveyor belt, from its inside, being stretched between first and second rollers. The apparatus further includes an encoder roller disposed between the first roller and the platen so as to be in contact with the conveyor belt from its inside, and a rotary encoder that follows the encoder roller to rotate. The belt is inclined between the first roller and the platen so as to form an obtuse angle with the supporting surface. A contact position between the encoder roller and the belt is in between a first imaginary plane including the supporting surface, and a second imaginary plane spreading through the nearer one, to the first roller, of both ends of the supporting surface in a direction of conveyance by the belt on the supporting surface.