Modular Conveyor Belt Fluid Guiding Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current modular conveyor belts in the food industry face challenges in achieving thorough and effective cleaning, particularly in areas prone to dirt and bacteria agglomeration, where direct fluid jets cannot reach, and require more aggressive disinfectants to maintain hygiene standards.

Innovation Solution

A modular conveyor belt design featuring fluid guiding structures on the belt modules that deflect and redirect cleaning fluid jets to hard-to-reach areas, ensuring thorough cleaning without increasing the aggressiveness of disinfectants, using channel-like, fan-shaped, or trough-like designs to direct fluid jets towards specific surfaces and gaps between modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If direct fluid jets are used for cleaning, then cleaning speed is improved, but cleaning effectiveness in hard-to-reach areas deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Fluid guiding structures are introduced as intermediary elements between the cleaning fluid source and the conveyor belt surfaces. These structures redirect and channel the fluid jets to reach hard-to-access areas such as gaps between modules and link end regions, thereby improving cleaning effectiveness without sacrificing overall cleaning speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning approach is enhanced by adding a dimensional aspect through fluid redirection. Instead of direct linear jets, the fluid is guided through three-dimensional paths using channels and deflectors, allowing cleaning fluid to reach areas that are geometrically difficult to access from a direct approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If more aggressive disinfectants are used, then disinfection level is improved, but hygiene safety deteriorates due to chemical residue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection levelVSAvoidchemical residue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt system performs self-cleaning through integrated fluid guiding structures that automatically redirect cleaning fluid to critical areas. This self-service capability ensures thorough disinfection using milder chemicals, eliminating the need for aggressive disinfectants that would leave harmful residues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid guiding structures ensure continuous and comprehensive coverage of all cleaning surfaces, including previously inaccessible areas. This continuous action allows mild disinfectants to effectively sanitize the entire conveyor belt system over time, achieving high disinfection levels without chemical residue concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If powerful fluid pumps are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using high-pressure fluid jets system-wide, the fluid guiding structures concentrate and redirect fluid flow locally to specific areas that require cleaning. This localized approach maintains cleaning effectiveness in critical zones while reducing overall energy consumption by avoiding the need for powerful pumps throughout the entire system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances cleaning efficiency in critical areas, reduces the need for powerful fluid pumps, and allows for the use of less aggressive disinfectants while maintaining high disinfection levels, improving hygiene and reducing fluid consumption.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the belt modules of the first row comprises on its bottom side at least one fluid guiding structure designed and arranged so as to deflect a fluid jet impinging on the bottom side and guide the deflected fluid jet towards the second row of one or more belt modules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid deflection and guidance:

Data Source

PatentUS11802002B2Modular conveyor belt having fluid guiding structures

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 HABASIT AG

AI summary

Modular conveyor belt (1) comprising a first row of one or more belt modules (11) and an interlinked second row of one or more belt modules (12). A belt module of the first row comprises a first plurality of link ends (31) extending in a direction of belt travel (T) and having a pivot rod opening disposed therein in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of belt travel (T) wherein a belt module of the second row comprises a second plurality of link ends (32) extending in a direction opposite to the direction of belt travel (T) and having a pivot rod opening therein in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of belt travel (T) wherein The first plurality of link ends (31) and the second plurality of link ends (32) are intercalated and hingedly connected by a pivot rod (40) disposed through the pivot rod openings wherein the belt module of the first row comprises on its bottom side several fluid guiding structures (50) designed and arranged so as to deflect a fluid jet impinging on the bottom side and guide the deflected fluid jet towards the second row of one or more belt modules (12).