Conveyor Belt Joining Plates With Removable Spacer for Easy Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing junction devices for conveyor belts require multiple molds for various thicknesses, leading to high manufacturing and distribution costs due to the complexity of producing 'H' shaped structures, and the insertion of the second conveyor belt end is difficult due to the need for significant force to separate the wings.
Innovation Solution
A junction device with first and second junction plates forming pairs of wings on either side of a junction plane, a removable spacer offset from the junction plane to facilitate easier insertion of the second conveyor belt end, and fastening elements that act as both centring and anchoring devices to improve assembly efficiency and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If junction devices are produced as H-shaped molded structures to accommodate various conveyor belt thicknesses, then adaptability to different belt thicknesses is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to requiring multiple molds
Solution Approach 1:
The junction device is divided into three separate components: an upper plate, a lower plate, and an intermediate part serving as a spacer. These segments can be manufactured independently using standard molds, then assembled together. The intermediate part is specifically designed to provide the necessary spacing between plates to accommodate different conveyor belt thicknesses, eliminating the need for multiple specialized molds while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate part serves multiple functions: it acts as a spacer to accommodate various belt thicknesses, provides structural support, and enables the assembly of different plate configurations. This universal component allows the same basic mold to produce junction devices for different belt thicknesses by simply changing the intermediate spacer, rather than requiring dedicated molds for each thickness.
2Strength
If wings are tightly closed to secure the conveyor belt ends, then joining strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in inserting the second conveyor belt end
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate part is inserted between the upper and lower plates before the conveyor belt ends are fully secured. This preliminary action creates the necessary gap that allows the second conveyor belt end to be inserted more easily. Once the belt is in position, the plates are fastened together, achieving both easy insertion and strong joining.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate part acts as a mediator between the tightly closed wings and the conveyor belt end that needs insertion. By providing a physical spacer, it creates the gap needed for insertion while maintaining the overall structural integrity. The intermediate part is removed after insertion, leaving the wings tightly closed for strength while having facilitated easy insertion temporarily.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple molds are used to produce junction devices for different belt thicknesses, then manufacturing precision for specific thicknesses is improved, but productivity decreases due to small production series and high storage costs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the junction device into standardized plates and an adjustable intermediate spacer, the system allows a single mold to produce plates that can be combined with different thickness spacers to create junction devices for various belt thicknesses. This increases production volume per mold while maintaining precision through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the entire mold for different belt thicknesses, only the intermediate part's thickness parameter is changed. The same plate molds can be used repeatedly, and only the intermediate spacers need to be varied to match different conveyor belt thicknesses, significantly improving productivity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A junction device for connecting two ends of at least one longitudinal conveyor belt includes at least a first junction plate and a second junction plate which are configured to each cover a distinct side of the ends of the conveyor belt, a fastening device for fastening said junction plates together, and a removable spacer which is suited to be interposed between the wings of the first pair of wings formed by the junction plates, such that the centring hole of the spacer is offset from the junction plane, to free the space delimited between the second pair of wings.