3D Printed Conveyor Belt Bristles for Vibratory Conveyors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts for vibratory conveyors are complex and expensive to manufacture, and changing conveying directions along the conveyor line is difficult, especially implementing curved sections.
Innovation Solution
The conveyor belts are manufactured using 3D printing, allowing customization of bristles and base plates to adapt to varying conveying directions without complex cutting and joining, enabling seamless transitions between straight and curved sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conveyor belts are manufactured using traditional methods with predetermined conveying directions, then manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase, and adaptability to varying conveying directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the conveying direction dynamic and adjustable by using movable bristle assemblies that can be repositioned along the conveyor belt. Instead of a fixed predetermined direction, the bristles can be moved to different positions and orientations to adapt to varying conveying requirements, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt is divided into modular sections with individual bristle assemblies that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows different portions of the conveyor belt to have different conveying directions, enabling complex path changes and curved sections while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized modular components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conveyor belts are customized for varying conveying directions using traditional methods, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to cutting and joining operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal conveyor belt design where a single base structure can serve multiple conveying directions and configurations. The movable bristle assemblies can be repositioned to create different conveying paths, eliminating the need for custom-cutting and joining operations for each configuration, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying direction is changed by adjusting parameters such as bristle position, orientation, and configuration rather than by physically modifying the conveyor belt structure. This allows rapid reconfiguration for different conveying requirements without complex cutting and joining operations, reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining customization capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If curved sections are implemented using multiple conveyor belt sections, then adaptability to curved paths is improved, but manufacturing precision and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements curved sections by dynamically adjusting the position and orientation of bristle assemblies along a continuous conveyor belt rather than by assembling multiple rigid sections. This allows smooth curved paths to be created while maintaining manufacturing precision, as the continuous belt structure eliminates alignment issues between separate sections.
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 approach simplifies the manufacturing process and enhances adaptability, enabling efficient and cost-effective production of conveyor belts with tailored conveying directions and improved stability, suitable for diverse transport tasks.
Implementation Method 1
The conveying effect of the conveyor belt is explained by the spring elasticity of the bristles and by a uniform inclination of all bristles relative to the vertical direction. The vibrations or oscillations act predominantly in the vertical direction, so that the bristles are spring-elastically deformed in the vertical direction by the weight of the piece goods or workpieces.
Implementation Method 2
The invention is based on the general idea of printing the bristles onto the base plate using 3D printing. 3D printing is often also referred to as additive manufacturing.
Implementation Method 3
A vibratory conveyor system for conveying piece goods or workpieces is equipped with a conveyor line along which the piece goods or workpieces are transported, and with a vibration device that causes the conveyor line to vibrate or oscillate.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a conveyor belt (4) for a vibratory conveyor device, wherein the conveyor belt (4) has a base plate (5) defining a longitudinal direction (X), a transverse direction (Y), and a vertical direction (Z), and a plurality of bristles (6) projecting from the base plate (5) in the vertical direction (Z). The conveyor belt (4) can be more easily customized for the respective vibratory conveyor device if the bristles (6) are 3D-printed onto the base plate (5).