Conveyor Drive Roller Positioning for Belt Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transport devices for packaging or packaging components, particularly in the food industry, face difficulties in replacing the belt body and converting between single-lane and multi-lane transport configurations.

Innovation Solution

A transport device design featuring a base frame with a detachably connected belt body, where the drive roller and drive are positioned on the same side of the transport plane, allowing for easier accessibility and replacement, and incorporating a gearbox for efficient power transmission, enabling simple conversion between different conveyor belt configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the drive and gear are positioned close to the drive roller for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but accessibility for replacement and conversion is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidaccessibility for replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drive and gear are positioned at a different vertical dimension (above the transport plane) rather than horizontally adjacent to the drive roller, allowing compact horizontal arrangement while maintaining vertical accessibility for maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The belt body is divided into modular components that can be independently replaced, and the drive assembly is positioned separately to allow independent access without disassembling the entire conveyor system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the drive components are positioned below the transport plane for protection, then reliability is improved by protecting from contamination, but accessibility for maintenance is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from contaminationVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The drive and gear are positioned above the transport plane in the vertical dimension, providing protection from below while maintaining accessibility from above for maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The position above the transport plane serves dual functions: protecting the drive components from contamination below while simultaneously providing easy accessibility from above for maintenance and conversion operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the belt body is designed to be detachable for easy replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional connection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidconnection mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The belt body is segmented into modular components with standardized connection interfaces, allowing easy detachment and replacement without complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection mechanisms are designed with universal interfaces that work across different belt body configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized connection types and simplifying the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates easier replacement and conversion of belt bodies, ensuring trouble-free operation and maintaining cleanliness by protecting the drive components from contamination, while allowing for efficient power transmission and flexible operation with different conveyor belt speeds.

Implementation Method 1

the base frame comprises a drive and a gear for transmitting a force from the drive to the drive roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP4389650A1Transport device for transporting packages or packaging components
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4389650A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4389650A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4389650A1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

Transport device for transporting packaging or packaging components, the transport device comprising a base frame and a belt body detachably connected to the base frame, wherein the belt body comprises a conveyor belt defining a transport plane and a drive roller for driving the conveyor belt, wherein the base frame comprises a drive and a gearbox for transmitting a force from the drive to the drive roller, wherein the drive roller and the drive are arranged on the same side of the transport plane and the distance of the drive to the transport plane is greater than the distance of the drive roller to the transport plane.