Conveyor Belt Step-Shaped Connection Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coal conveyor systems, particularly belt conveyors with belt scales, face imprecision in coal dosing due to varying bulk density, leading to inefficiencies in coal consumption and emissions.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor belt with a homogeneous density distribution achieved by using step-shaped connection profiles and adhesive rubber inserts, where the inserts have a density matching the surrounding layers, ensuring a constant weight measurement and precise dosing through a uniform connection point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional adhesive rubber inserts with overlapping ends are used to connect conveyor belt ends, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the density distribution becomes non-uniform causing imprecise weight measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidweight measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a step-shaped connection profile where different layers of the conveyor belt have different lengths, forming recesses at specific locations. The adhesive rubber insert is placed precisely in these recesses to maintain uniform overall density. This local structural variation ensures that while the connection is strong, the density distribution remains homogeneous, allowing precise weight measurements by the belt scale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive rubber insert acts as an intermediary element that fills the recesses created by the step-shaped connection profiles. This intermediary component enables the connection between belt ends while maintaining uniform density distribution, as its density matches the surrounding rubber layers. The intermediary insert resolves the contradiction by providing both mechanical strength and density uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the conveyor belt connection point has non-uniform density due to overlapping ends, then the connection is mechanically sound, but the dead weight varies along the belt length affecting dosing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical soundnessVSAvoiddosing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the connection profiles by creating step-shaped profiles with specific recess dimensions rather than simple overlapping connections. This parameter change ensures that when the adhesive rubber insert is placed in the recesses, the overall density and dead weight remain uniform along the belt length. This maintains mechanical soundness while achieving precise dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If simple overlapping connection of belt ends is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the connection point creates density variations requiring complex compensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidweight measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection structure into distinct layers with different lengths, creating a step-shaped profile rather than a simple overlap. This segmentation allows the adhesive rubber insert to be precisely positioned in recesses, maintaining uniform density. The segmented approach simplifies manufacturing by providing a clear structural framework while achieving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the adhesive rubber insert density differs from surrounding layers, then insertion into recesses is easier, but the homogeneous density distribution is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoiddensity homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains homogeneity by specifying that the adhesive rubber insert has a density that corresponds to the density of the surrounding rubber layers. This ensures uniform density distribution along the entire belt length, including the connection point. The recesses provide the necessary structural feature for insertion while the matched density preserves composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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

This solution allows for precise control of the coal firing process, reducing coal consumption and associated emissions by maintaining consistent weight measurements across the belt length and width, enhancing the accuracy of coal dosing.

Implementation Method 1

The ends of the rubber belt are connected to one another at a connection point. Rubber belts are connected by vulcanizing and applying rubber solution.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVulcanization:

Data Source

PatentEP2216562B1Conveyor belt for bunker discharger belt conveyors
Publication Date: 2013.10.30 BABCOCK BORSIG STEINMUELLER GMBH
  • EP2216562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2216562B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2216562B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The belt has a rubber belt comprising fabric layers, and a connection point at which ends (90, 92) of the rubber belt are connected with an adhesive rubber strip (106), such that the conveyor belt forms a closed endless belt, where the ends of the rubber belt comprise respective connection profiles (102, 104). The profiles are connected with one another, where one of the profiles has a recess for retaining the rubber strip, such that the rubber belt has equal thickness over the entire length. The rubber strip has a thickness that corresponds to the thickness of the profile having the recess. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for manufacturing a conveyor belt for a bunker discharger-belt conveyor (2) a bunker discharger-belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt.