Conveyor Belt Module Protrusions Reduce Drag Friction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belt modules face increased drag friction and misalignment issues due to repetitive stress and wear, leading to operational and maintenance challenges, particularly when traversing curves and engaging with drive components.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a web with first and second link ends, featuring protrusions that inhibit drive engagement and utilize bearings and guide arms to reduce drag friction, ensuring proper alignment and stress distribution along the track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the conveyor belt module mass is increased to handle higher stresses, then the module strength and durability are improved, but the drag friction between the module and track increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt system is divided into multiple individual modules that can be independently assembled and replaced. Each module is a discrete unit with standardized dimensions and mounting features, allowing the system to achieve required strength through proper module selection rather than increasing individual module mass excessively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies geometric parameters of the modules, specifically the lateral offset distance between opposing link ends and the positioning of drive pockets. These parameter changes optimize the distribution of stresses and reduce drag friction by improving engagement characteristics with drive components and alignment with tracks.
2Manufacturing precision
If modules are incorrectly offset laterally during installation, then misalignment with drive sprockets occurs, but proper alignment requires precise positioning features
Solution Approach 1:
The module design incorporates asymmetric features including protrusions on link ends and laterally offset drive pockets that are not symmetrically positioned. These asymmetric features create a unique geometric signature that ensures modules can only be correctly assembled in the proper orientation and position, preventing misalignment with drive sprockets while maintaining ease of installation through intuitive fitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The module's geometric features, particularly the laterally offset drive pockets and protrusions, automatically guide proper alignment during installation. The design self-corrects potential misalignment issues by allowing only one correct positioning configuration, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized tools.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A conveyor belt module includes a web (502) extending in a lateral direction (503), a first link end (504) extending from the web in a first direction (505) that is transverse to the lateral direction and defining a drive pocket (508), a second link end (506) extending from the web in a second direction (507) that is opposite to the first direction. A first protrusion (510) extends from the second link end (506) in the first direction (505); and a second protrusion (511,512) extends from the second link end (506) in the second direction (507) and offset in the lateral direction from the first protrusion (510). The first protrusion (510) and the second protrusion (511,512) are configured to inhibit driving engagement with a drive member.