Friction Conveyor Coupler with Integrated Tread Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Friction conveyor systems for heavy loads face challenges with high installation and maintenance costs due to the multiplication of drive points, slow conveying speed, and safety issues related to force transmission and following curves, particularly in manufacturing environments where different speeds and vertical curves are required.
Innovation Solution
A hitch system with a continuous tread and integrated attachment members that allow for removably attaching parts around a hinge axis orthogonal to the tread, enabling increased spacing between friction rollers, independent operation of spreaders, and safe force transmission through the tread, allowing for efficient and flexible conveying along vertical and horizontal curves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction rollers are multiplied along the conveyor to drive each beam, then conveying reliability is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single friction roller by integrating attachment members (hooks or bars) directly into the tread surface. This allows one roller to effectively drive multiple beams simultaneously, reducing the total number of rollers needed while maintaining reliable conveying of each beam
2Device complexity
If the spacing between friction rollers is increased to reduce costs, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to convey longer distances independently is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is segmented into multiple functional zones with integrated attachment members at different positions. This allows a single roller to engage multiple beams over extended distances, effectively increasing the usable spacing between drive points while maintaining independent conveying capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hook and bar couplings are used to connect trains, then spreaders can be linked together, but force transmission is poor and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is merged with the drive interface by integrating attachment members into the tread surface. This unified design ensures that force transmission occurs through the same robust interface used for driving, eliminating the weak link of separate couplings and improving safety
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional couplings are used to connect spreaders in a train, then train formation is enabled, but the coupling cannot properly follow vertical curves
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is made dynamic through the hinge connection between tread parts, allowing the attachment members to adjust their position relative to each other. This enables the train to follow vertical curves smoothly while maintaining effective force transmission and drive contact
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
The solution reduces the multiplication of drive points, enhances safety, and allows for independent speed control of spreaders, increasing conveying efficiency and flexibility, particularly in manufacturing settings like motor vehicle production.
Implementation Method 1
The friction roller, driving the first train, rolls on the crossbar, the friction forces transmitted to the second train then pass through the coupling
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupler (10) including a tread surface (16) for a friction roller comprising a first portion (12) and a second portion (14); members (20, 40) for removably attaching the first portion (12) of the tread surface to the second portion (14) of the tread surface (16); the tread surface being continuous and the attachment members being built into the tread surface. The invention also relates to a train including cross-bars mutually coupled by a coupler such as described above and to a friction conveyor of the train. The invention is suitable for obtaining a friction conveyor system that is safer and reduces the multiplicity of drive points while guaranteeing the independence of the loads conveyed.